OhioHealth Infectious Disease Doctor Said COVID-19 Pandemic Not Over Yet

Joe Gastaldo, MD, System Medical Director for Infectious Disease, answers the question, “Is the pandemic over?”

Officially speaking, he said it’s not, “In our country, over 1 million people have died of COVID-19, and we are now averaging approximately 550 deaths per day. Specifically for those with at-risk conditions, those who are immunocompromised, and those over the age of 75, the pandemic is not over.”

However, in 2023, Dr. Gastaldo expects two things eventually, “Number one, the federal government will officially declare the emergency over in the United States. Number two, at some time, the World Health Organization will declare the end of the pandemic.”

Although the pandemic is not over yet, he said “Our country is in a much better place, with a higher degree of immunity for everybody against the virus that causes COVID-19.”