The World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 emergency committee met yesterday to review the latest pandemic developments, and the WHO's director-general today accepted the group's recommendation that the event still warrants a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations.The global total rose to 3,329,740 cases today in 187 countries, and at least 237,647 people have died from their infections, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.Public health emergency extendedThe WHO first declared the PHEIC on Jan 30, and the emergency committee typically reviews the developments and reviews its recommendations every 3 months, or more often, as needed.