As COVID-19 transitions from a pandemic to an endemic disease, public health efforts must increasingly focus on sustainable surveillance systems, adaptive prevention strategies, and long-term health system preparedness to mitigate ongoing population-level impact. The emergence of new Omicron subvariants such as LF.7 and NB.1.8 in Southeast Asia—often an early indicator of global SARS-CoV-2 transmission trends—highlights the virus’s continued evolution and its capacity for periodic surges. Waning population immunity and the limited effectiveness of current vaccines in preventing transmission have altered the epidemiological profile of COVID-19. As a result, its transmission dynamics now resemble those of other seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).This communication outlines the public health implications of COVID-19’s endemic nature and proposes long-term preparedness strategies for policymakers, health systems, and public health professionals
Inamdar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.