May 5, 2023
(LONDON, Ontario) – London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) acknowledges the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern. While recognizing that this does not signal the end of the pandemic, the WHO’s May 5 announcement marks a major milestone and step towards the end of a significant journey for our healthcare workers, region and community.
“This announcement allows us to take pause to acknowledge the impact the pandemic has had on our lives and our collective efforts as a hospital system during a very challenging time,” said Dr. Michael Payne, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control at LHSC. “Together, we worked to support our patients, communities and healthcare system, which are stronger as a result. While COVID will remain present in our communities, we now have systems and vaccines in place to manage it much as we do influenza or other respiratory viruses.”
Dr. Payne is available for comment this afternoon.
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 2 p.m.
Who: Dr. Michael Payne, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, LHSC
For media inquiries and to request an interview, contact:
Steve Robinson
Senior Media Relations Consultant
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500 ext. 35947
media@lhsc.on.ca
