The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to put an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency next year by urging China to disclose information regarding its origin.

"But we have come a long way. We are hopeful that at some point next year, we will be able to say that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

He also addressed that despite the half of decrease in cases, recorded deaths were still ‘too many’.

"Last week, less than 10,000 people lost their lives. That's still 10,000 too many and there is still a lot that all countries can do to save lives," he added.

The decision on ending COVID-19 as a public health emergency will be finalized in January at the meeting between the COVID emergency committee of WHO.