COVID-19 is still a global health emergency, WHO says
CBSN
The World Health Organization said Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), almost three years after it was first recognized as such back in January 2020.
The determination was made last week at a meeting by the Emergency Committee on COVID-19, according to Dr. Tedros Adhanom, director-general of WHO.
"The committee emphasized the need to strengthen surveillance and expand access to tests, treatments and vaccines for those most at risk," Adhanom said in a briefing. "And for all countries to update their national preparedness and response plans."
Russia launched a barrage of missiles at Ukraine Thursday in its first major retaliation for Ukraine's attack earlier in the week on a military facility in the Russian region of Bryansk. That strike saw the Ukrainians use American-made and supplied long-range missiles known as ATACMS, which President Biden had given the Ukrainian forces permission to fire deeper into Russian territory only two days earlier.