On the five-year anniversary of COVID-19's emergence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken the opportunity to reflect on the pandemic and its enormous impact on public health and global society. From humble beginnings as reports of "viral pneumonia" from Wuhan, China, to overwhelming numbers of confirmed cases globally, COVID-19 has reshaped lives and prompted urgent calls for greater international cooperation.
According to WHO, as of January 31, 2025, there have been over 777 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths worldwide due to the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. "We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19," the WHO stated. They highlighted this as "a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics."
The onset of COVID-19 on December 31, 2019, marked the beginning of a chaotic global health crisis. WHO staff initiated emergency procedures immediately thereafter, alerting the world of what was to come. Within days, WHO produced guidance and brought together international partners, underscoring the urgency with which nations needed to respond.
Reflecting on the legacy of the pandemic, WHO noted, "This anniversary serves as both a somber remembrance of the lives lost and as motivation to continue efforts to mitigate future risks." The organization has stressed the importance of collaborative actions moving forward, especially highlighting how shared knowledge and research can propel humanity toward future preparedness.
Meanwhile, researchers are earnestly investigating long COVID—a condition characterized by persistent and complex symptoms following the primary infection. Dr. Suzanne D. Vernon, research director at the Bateman Horne Center, explained, "The severity of acute infection with both viral and nonviral agents is known to increase the risk for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)." The prevalence of such conditions accentuates the long-lasting effects of COVID-19, with studies indicating around 1.8% of the UK population being affected.
Patients suffering from long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, often experience serious cognitive impairments and health issues, leading to alarmingly high rates of ME/CFS diagnoses among them. Through multiple research initiatives—including the National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER initiative—scientists continue to seek answers about how SARS-CoV-2 disrupts normal health.
The emergence of brain fog—a common complaint among COVID-19 survivors—has been linked to persistent inflammation caused by the virus. Researchers using advanced MRI techniques have noted disruptions to the blood-brain barrier, which could contribute to the cognitive issues faced by many long COVID patients. Scientists aim to ascertain whether restoration of the blood-brain barrier correlates with improvement of clinical symptoms.
To understand long COVID's neurological impact, studies have pinpointed long-lasting changes within the brain. Research has shown cognitive function among COVID-19 hospitalized patients to resemble 20 years of normal aging due to the severity of the disease. Notably, the long-term cognitive decline raises concerns as researchers seek to isolate the specific mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 affects brain health.
With the pandemic's continuing impacts, WHO has also underscored the sacrifices made by frontline health workers during this unprecedented time. Honoring their contributions, WHO reiterated its commitment to building on the lessons learned during this crisis to create a more resilient health system.
The road toward clarifying the mysteries surrounding long COVID remains fraught with challenges, yet promising strides have emerged. Clinical trials aimed at exploring treatments are currently underway, and some recent methodologies, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), have shown potential benefits with participants reporting improved quality of life.
Marking five years since COVID-19's first reported cases, WHO’s reflections serve as both tribute and actionable guidance for the future. The need for transparency, data sharing, and international collaboration has never been more urgent, ensuring preparedness to avert potential future health crises. The lessons learned from this pandemic will be pivotal for the future of global public health policy and response strategies.