THE WORLD HEALTH Organisation has paid tribute to the “lives changed and lost” during the Covid-19 pandemic on the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the virus that put the world on pause.

It has also called on China to be forthcoming with sharing data to allow better understanding of the origins of the virus.

On 31 December 2019, the WHO was notified of several cases in Wuhan, China of a pneumonia-like illness with an unknown cause and symptoms that included shortness of break and fever. 

“In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world,” the WHO has said today in a statement marking the fifth anniversary of the outbreak.

At WHO, we went to work immediately as the new year dawned. WHO employees activated emergency systems on 1 January 2020 and informed the world on 4 January,” the statement said.

“By 9-12 January, WHO had published its first set of comprehensive guidance for countries, and on 13 January, we brought together partners to publish the blueprint of the first SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test.”

The WHO said that “all along, we convened experts and ministries of health from around the world, gathered and analyzed data, and shared what was reported, what we learned and what it meant for people”.

“As we mark this milestone, let’s take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognize those who are suffering from Covid-19 and long Covid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from COVID-19 to build a healthier tomorrow.”

The WHO said it is calling on China to “share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19″.

“This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”