Geneva August 2 (RHC)--The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended the state COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern  (PHEIC).

According to an official statement from the organization released Saturday, the decision was taken after the Director-General,  Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, met online with the members and advisors of the WHO Emergency Committee.

During the discussion, "the committee unanimously agreed that the pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern," the text said.

As a result, "the Director-General declared that the Covid-19 outbreak continues to constitute an emergency.

Under the state of emergency, the committee recommended to WHO and governments several measures aimed at strengthening the response to the virus and strengthening national health systems, encouraging scientific research, and combating misinformation about the disease.

Members also expressed appreciation for WHO and partners’ COVID-19 pandemic response efforts, and highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration of this COVID-19 pandemic, noting the importance of sustained community, national, regional, and global response efforts.”  

For the Emergency Committee, Friday's meeting was the fourth. The next time the experts are expected to meet in three months' time.