COVID-19 in 2025: From Pandemic to Managed Endemic
Since its emergence in late 2019, COVID-19 has reshaped global public health. By mid-2023, the World Health Organization officially ended its status as a global health emergency, marking a transition toward an endemic stage—comparable to seasonal influenza.
Fast forward to mid-2025: SARS-CoV-2 continues circulating globally, albeit with reduced strain on healthcare systems. According to WHO surveillance, the test positivity rate reached 11% in May, a level reminiscent of the July 2024 peak.
Hospitalizations and ICU admissions, while still occurring, show a gradual decline—WHO reports 8,559 hospitalizations and 247 ICU admissions in 35 countries over a recent 28-day period
New variants continue to evolve. Notably, NB.1.8.1 (“Nimbus”) has increased from 18% to 24% of global sequences by early June, overtaking previous strains, but remains under monitoring . Another emerging subvariant, XFG (“Stratus”), accounts for about 14% of U.S. cases but is not currently seen as a major global threat—vaccines continue to offer protection against severe outcomes.

In regions like Spain, modest summer surges occurred with case counts doubling, though without overwhelming hospital capacity. Spain has since adapted its vaccination strategy, rolling out tailored campaigns for high-risk groups such as those over 70, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant people
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the COVID-19 situation remains somewhat politicized: vaccine eligibility has narrowed to those over 65 or high-risk groups, leading to access challenges and internal tensions within the CDC
In conclusion, by 2025 COVID-19 has moved from global emergency to managed endemic. New variants and seasonal fluctuations persist, but robust surveillance, tailored vaccination, and public health strategy continue to keep the virus under control.