#16,718
Although I strongly suspect COVID has a few more cards to play, nations around the world are looking for an `exit strategy' from the acute phase of the pandemic; one that would help reinvigorate their economies and return life to a more `normal' existence.
Whether, and for how long, the SARS-CoV-2 virus cooperates remains to be seen. But for most countries outside of Asia, COVID activity has slowed markedly - and in the Northern Hemisphere - there are hopes for seeing a prolonged respite over the summer.
Many countries have already relaxed or dropped social distancing and public face mask requirements, testing recommendations, and the daily reporting of cases has been gradually `de-emphasized'.
As a result, the visceral impact of pandemic is slowly receding from headlines. But that doesn't mean the pandemic virus has gone away.
Today the ECDC published a 9-page technical document discussing how 8 European nations are approaching their transition beyond the Acute Phase of COVID-19. Although they are all following different approaches and are moving at different speeds, they are all looking for a path towards a more sustainable COVID policy.
Transitioning beyond the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: Approaches and tools used by a sample of EU countries in the transition and de-escalation phase – interim report
Technical report
27 Apr 2022
While the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) countries are transitioning beyond the acute phase of the pandemic and towards a more sustainable and integrated approach to COVID-19 response in the longer term.
In February and March 2022, ECDC carried out a series of dialogues with selected EU countries to discuss their approaches to transitioning into the post-acute phase of the pandemic and/or de-escalating measures, including their plans regarding specific key areas. The synthesis and sharing of the experiences and approaches by the selected EU countries that participated in the dialogue are presented in this document and linked with tools ECDC has developed during the pandemic that can be used in support of this process.
Executive summary
Key messages
- Although globally the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) countries are transitioning beyond the acute phase of the pandemic and towards a more sustainable and integrated approach to COVID-19 response, thanks to the high level of vaccination coverage achieved and the confidence in their strengthened healthcare systems. In February and March 2022, eight EU countries participated in a dialogue with ECDC on their approaches for transitioning into the post-acute phase and/or de-escalating measures, in order to identify common approaches and useful tools that can be used by other countries.
- The results of this analysis indicate that the consulted countries have shifted from an acute emergency phase approach, where efforts were invested in reducing transmission and protecting the healthcare system, towards a post-acute phase, which aims to ensure ongoing support and management of severe outcomes and the protection of vulnerable populations.
- In transitioning to this post-acute phase, all the consulted countries are de-escalating their response measures, including non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The countries will continue monitoring pandemic trends and key indicators but are moving away from widespread screening and towards approaches focused on testing for diagnostic purposes as well as targeted and representative sentinel surveillance, to enable continued monitoring while making a more sustainable use of resources.
- The consulted countries reported the continued importance of maintaining sequencing capacity in order to ensure the ongoing ability to detect new COVID-19 variants as well as supporting the wider ability to detect and characterise other new and emerging pathogens.
- The responding countries highlighted the continued importance of risk communication and community engagement and emphasised research readiness as a priority but reported that challenges surrounding funding and coordination remain.
- Several countries reported an increased focus on the recovery of their healthcare systems and the need to assess and address the wider health impacts of the pandemic, including delays or disruptions of childhood vaccination programmes, health screening programmes, and other medical interventions.
- While the consulted countries reported a number of efforts to review their pandemic response to date, many of them had not yet conducted formal evaluations or after-action reviews.
- ECDC has developed a number of reports and technical guidance that can support countries’ transition to the post-acute phase, including those related to surveillance, testing strategies, genomic sequencing, behavioural insights, and conducting after-action reviews.
Transitioning beyond the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: Approaches and tools used by a sample of EU countries in the transition and de-escalation phase – interim report - EN - [PDF-420.97 KB]
As a blogger, I obviously want every scrap of information I can get my hands on. And I worry that the recent rolling back of testing and reporting could backfire, and even allow new variants to get a foothold (as we just saw with BA.2.12.1) while flying under the radar.
But I also understand that we can't remain in a heightened state of alert forever.
My hope is that in scaling back our pandemic response, we remain nimble enough to pivot should another serious pandemic wave threaten. That we don't get locked into a self-defeating `we declared victory, and we aren't going back' mentality.
I also plan to get my second booster, and will continue to wear face masks in crowded, or indoor venues, throughout the summer. But beyond that, I'm living my life as `normally' as possible.
That said, I still wouldn't put any money on COVID going quietly into the night.
