The World Health Organization chief says he’s “hopeful” that the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be considered a global emergency next year.

 
The World Health Organisation chief says he’s “hopeful” that the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be considered a global emergency next year.

His comments come as China dismantles its rigid “zero-COVID” policy and allows people to live with the virus.

The WHO meets every few months to decide whether the new coronavirus still represents a public health emergency of international concern.

Meanwhile, the WHO is warning China that it needs to ramp up vaccinations in the world’s second-largest economy.

The WHO says COVID cases were exploding in China well before the government lifted its controversial lockdown.