The World Health Organisation (WHO) has claimed that the end of the coronavirus pandemic is now “in sight”.
Since news of the first variant of COVID-19 began emerging at the end of 2019, and the UK was subsequently placed into a nationwide on 23 March 2020, with a turbulent two years to follow and life as we once knew it flipped on its head, the WHO has now revealed that weekly deaths from the virus around the world are at their lowest since the pandemic began
UK infections have also dropped to their lowest level for nearly 11 months.
This had led medical experts at the organisation to claim that “we have never been in a better position to end the pandemic.”
Speaking on the latest figures and what they mean for the future, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – Director General at the WHO – explained: “We are not there yet, but the end is in sight. A marathon runner does not stop when the finish line comes into view, she runs harder, with all the energy she has left, so must we.
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“We can see the finish line, we’re in a winning position – but now is the worst time to stop running.”
World Health Organisation says end of COVID-19 pandemic is ‘in sight’ / Credit: Claudio Schwarz (via Unsplash) | Flickr
Continuing with the metaphor, Dr Ghebreyesus said now is the time to “run harder”.
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He added: “If we don’t take this opportunity now, we run the risk of more variants, more deaths, more disruption and more uncertainty, so let’s seize this opportunity.”
With 12 billion does of COVID-19 vaccines having now been administered, the WHO said in its latest figures that an estimated 19.8 million deaths were prevented in 2021 as a whole thanks to vaccine rollouts nationwide – but it warned that the virus still poses an “acute global emergency”.
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The WHO pointed to the fact that more than a million people died from COVID-19 during the first eight months of 2022.
WHO created policy briefs on 🔑 elements needed to end the #COVID19 emergency, incl.: 🔸vaccinating highest risk groups 🔸maintaining surveillance 🔸testing & sequencing 🔸clinical care 🔸public health measures 🔸engaging communities 🔸tackling infodemic 📌https://t.co/JCf1bY51yzpic.twitter.com/yLE1K0PD36
Dr Ghebreyesus has called on the world to “end this pandemic together”.
The WHO has announced it is releasing six policy briefs to outline the actions that governments across the world must now take to achieve this.
The policy briefs include guidance on testing, vaccination, best practice for the managing of the disease, maintaining infection control measures in health facilities, preventing the spread of misinformation, and community engagement.
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th September 2022 
