"This virus will not go away," Tedros warned with regard to the corona virus. Almost 10,000 people worldwide died of Covid-19 in the past week. "That's still 10,000 too many," said the WHO chief. But there are also significantly fewer deaths than in comparison to the situation a year ago.

"We hope that at some point in the coming year we can say that Covid-19 is no longer a global public health emergency," Tedros said. To do this, however, all countries would have to continue to take decisive action against the corona virus.

Regarding monkeypox, Tedros said more than 82,000 cases had been registered in 110 countries. 65 people died. "If the current trend continues, then we hope that in the coming year we will also be able to declare the end of this global health emergency."

The global public health emergency means that the "criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (GNIT)" have been met. It is the highest possible alert level of the WHO, it currently applies to both the corona virus and monkeypox.