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`) } });

The Risk of Another Global Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 resulted in significant costs for public health and society globally. As of August 2023, there have been over 770 million reported cases and 6.9 million deaths worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that the actual mortality rate may be even higher. As well as the direct impact on health, there have been numerous indirect effects, including virtual education, remote work, and an impact on mental health.