The World Health Organization said on Monday that&nbsp;team visiting China to explore the origins of the coronavirus is having productive talks with its Chinese counterparts.

The expert team in Wuhan has now started investigations on the ground, notably visiting the Huanan seafood market where one of the first reported clusters of infections emerged, and the hospital where early patients were treated.

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The WHO, which has sought to manage expectations for the mission, has said its members would be limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and have no contact with community members, because of health curbs.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid-19, said the team would be visiting the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Former US President Donald Trump pushed an unsubstantiated theory that the virus escaped from the facility.

The team are having "very productive discussions with Chinese counterparts, visiting different hospitals around Wuhan", Van Kerkhove said.

"They had a very good visit to the market, seeing first-hand the stalls and walking through."

Van Kerkhove said they had also met with counterparts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control&nbsp;and Prevention.

"They will visit the Institute of Virology. That is being planned," she added.

WHO&nbsp;blasted critics of its investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and challenged those claiming to know better to come forward with the smoking gun.

The UN agency's emergencies director Michael Ryan hit out at those sniping at the mission, and said people claiming they have information on how the pandemic broke out should emerge from the shadows.

Ryan said many critics were saying they "won't accept the report when it comes out", or that there is "other intelligence available that may show different findings" on how the virus broke out.

"If you have the answers... please let us know," Ryan told a press conference from the WHO's headquarters in Geneva.

He asked how responsible it was "to say you won't accept a report before it's even written? To say that you have intelligence that has not been provided?"

The WHO mission comes with heavy political baggage,&nbsp;China refused the team access until mid-January and there are question marks over what the experts can hope to find, one year on.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that team visiting China to explore the origins of the coronavirus is having productive talks with its Chinese counterparts.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that team visiting China to explore the origins of the coronavirus is having productive talks with its Chinese counterparts. The expert team in Wuhan has now started investigations on the ground, notably visiting the Huanan seafood market where one of the first reported clusters of infections emerged, and the hospital where early patients were treated. The WHO, which has sought to manage expectations for the mission, has said its members would be limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and have no contact with community members, because of health curbs. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid-19, said the team would be visiting the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Former US President Donald Trump pushed an unsubstantiated theory that the virus escaped from the facility. The team are having "very productive discussions with Chinese counterparts, visiting different hospitals around Wuhan", Van Kerkhove said. "They had a very good visit to the market, seeing first-hand the stalls and walking through." Van Kerkhove said they had also met with counterparts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "They will visit the Institute of Virology. That is being planned," she added. WHO blasted critics of its investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and challenged those claiming to know better to come forward with the smoking gun. The UN agency's emergencies director Michael Ryan hit out at those sniping at the mission, and said people claiming they have information on how the pandemic broke out should emerge from the shadows. Ryan said many critics were saying they "won't accept the report when it comes out", or that there is "other intelligence available that may show different findings" on how the virus broke out. "If you have the answers... please let us know," Ryan told a press conference from the WHO's headquarters in Geneva. He asked how responsible it was "to say you won't accept a report before it's even written? To say that you have intelligence that has not been provided?" The WHO mission comes with heavy political baggage, China refused the team access until mid-January and there are question marks over what the experts can hope to find, one year on.

WHO team says it is having 'productive talks' in China about COVID's origins

Nightclubs in&nbsp;COVID-19's original epicentre Wuhan have reopened&nbsp;as partying remains a distant dream for rest of the world.

Nightlife in Wuhan is back in full swing almost seven months after the city lifted its stringent lockdown and the city’s young partygoers are embracing the catharsis.

In scenes unimaginable in many cities around the world reeling under a resurgence of the pandemic, young Wuhan residents during a recent night out crowd-surfed ate street food and packed the city’s nightclubs as they looked to make up for the lost time.

The revival of the city’s hard-hit nightlife economy offers a glimpse into a post-pandemic lifestyle that many hope will become a reality in 2021, after the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-wuhan-water-park-party-now-beijing-says-face-masks-not-mandatory-in-public-spaces-322235">After Wuhan water park party, now Beijing says face masks not mandatory in public spaces</a>

In a crowded Wuhan beer hall, Zhang Qiong wipes birthday cake from her face after a food fight with her friends.

“After experiencing the first wave of epidemic in Wuhan and then the liberation, I feel like I’m living a second life,” says Zhang, 29, who works in a textiles shop in the central Chinese city that was the original epicentre of COVID-19.

Outside, maskless partygoers spill onto the streets, smoking and playing street games with toy machine guns and balloons.

Wuhan hasn’t reported a new locally transmitted case of the disease since May 10, after undergoing one of the strictest lockdowns worldwide.

The city of 11 million was shut off from the rest of China in a surprise overnight lockdown beginning January 23, with roadblocks erected and planes, trains and buses barred from entering the city. Almost 3,900 of China’s 4,634 recorded COVID-19 deaths occurred in the industrial city.

Students, musicians, artists and young workers, the backbone of the city’s nightlife scene,&nbsp;told stories of being stuck in their homes for months, many using the opportunity to prepare for a time when the city would recover.

“Some of my new music will definitely be about the pandemic time,” said Wang Xinghao, frontman of Wuhan pop-rock band Mad Rat, which drew a crowd of over 100 people to a local venue on a recent Wednesday night.

Wang flailed and jumped on stage, pulling crowd-surfing fans on stage, and at one point, tossed his faux leopard skin coat into the screaming audience.

He said one of the new songs was inspired by the three months he spent living in close quarters with his mother.

Many said the end of the lockdown has inspired larger turnouts.

“During the epidemic time, Wuhan was really a dead city,” said rock music enthusiast Yi Yi after the show. “Now people are all coming out to eat and have fun. I don’t think there were as many people before the epidemic.”

Despite the thriving night scene, Wuhan business and restaurant owners say it could still be some time before the surge in turnover makes up for massive losses during the lockdown.

But for patrons now flooding Wuhan’s nocturnal hotspots, the message is more straightforward.

“I just really want to cherish this time, because in life you never know when it will end,” said Zhang in the Wuhan beer hall. “Make every happy day count.”

Nightclubs in COVID-19's original epicentre Wuhan have reopened as partying remains a distant dream for rest of the world. Nightlife in Wuhan is back in full swing almost seven months after the city lifted its stringent lockdown and the city’s young partygoers are embracing the catharsis.

Nightclubs in COVID-19's original epicentre Wuhan have reopened as partying remains a distant dream for rest of the world. Nightlife in Wuhan is back in full swing almost seven months after the city lifted its stringent lockdown and the city’s young partygoers are embracing the catharsis. In scenes unimaginable in many cities around the world reeling under a resurgence of the pandemic, young Wuhan residents during a recent night out crowd-surfed ate street food and packed the city’s nightclubs as they looked to make up for the lost time. The revival of the city’s hard-hit nightlife economy offers a glimpse into a post-pandemic lifestyle that many hope will become a reality in 2021, after the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Also read: After Wuhan water park party, now Beijing says face masks not mandatory in public spaces In a crowded Wuhan beer hall, Zhang Qiong wipes birthday cake from her face after a food fight with her friends. “After experiencing the first wave of epidemic in Wuhan and then the liberation, I feel like I’m living a second life,” says Zhang, 29, who works in a textiles shop in the central Chinese city that was the original epicentre of COVID-19. Outside, maskless partygoers spill onto the streets, smoking and playing street games with toy machine guns and balloons. Wuhan hasn’t reported a new locally transmitted case of the disease since May 10, after undergoing one of the strictest lockdowns worldwide. The city of 11 million was shut off from the rest of China in a surprise overnight lockdown beginning January 23, with roadblocks erected and planes, trains and buses barred from entering the city. Almost 3,900 of China’s 4,634 recorded COVID-19 deaths occurred in the industrial city. Students, musicians, artists and young workers, the backbone of the city’s nightlife scene, told stories of being stuck in their homes for months, many using the opportunity to prepare for a time when the city would recover. “Some of my new music will definitely be about the pandemic time,” said Wang Xinghao, frontman of Wuhan pop-rock band Mad Rat, which drew a crowd of over 100 people to a local venue on a recent Wednesday night. Wang flailed and jumped on stage, pulling crowd-surfing fans on stage, and at one point, tossed his faux leopard skin coat into the screaming audience. He said one of the new songs was inspired by the three months he spent living in close quarters with his mother. Many said the end of the lockdown has inspired larger turnouts. “During the epidemic time, Wuhan was really a dead city,” said rock music enthusiast Yi Yi after the show. “Now people are all coming out to eat and have fun. I don’t think there were as many people before the epidemic.” Despite the thriving night scene, Wuhan business and restaurant owners say it could still be some time before the surge in turnover makes up for massive losses during the lockdown. But for patrons now flooding Wuhan’s nocturnal hotspots, the message is more straightforward. “I just really want to cherish this time, because in life you never know when it will end,” said Zhang in the Wuhan beer hall. “Make every happy day count.”

Nightclubs reopen in COVID-19's original epicentre Wuhan

"Wuhan never hesitates to show its beauty, and those who love it deeply hope that more people can understand it," said a post on Facebook that intended to bring back tourists in the country.&nbsp;

China's Wuhan, which is commonly known for Covid-19's first epicentre has started promotions to lure travellers, stressing that the region is safe and its beauty needs to be experienced.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Titled as "Let's Meet in Wuhan," Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau posted on Weibo the video which highlighted the city's famous attractions, including Zhangdu Lake Wetland and the iconic Yellow Crane Tower, among others.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-frozen-food-clampdown-china-questions-theory-of-coronavirus-outbreak-in-wuhan-346003">With frozen food clampdown, China questions theory of coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The video was then shared on Facebook on November 13 with a similar message, reports CNN.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-journalist-covering-wuhan-outbreak-who-was-missing-since-feb-found-330141">China: Journalist covering Wuhan outbreak, who was missing since Feb found</a>

"Wuhan never hesitates to show its beauty, and those who love it deeply hope that more people can understand it," the Facebook post said&nbsp;

"From the myriad twinkling lights along the Yangtze River and the amazing dance and music from the Zhiyin cruise to the glittering light and beautiful voices from the live house......give me five! Everyone! Looking forward to meeting you in Wuhan."

A 76-day lockdown was imposed in Wuhan from January 23 to April 8 when the coronavirus outbreak began in China and was by and large spread in this region.&nbsp;

However, the infections in the region slowed down considerably since then and it has not reported a single infection since May at a time when several developed countries, including the European nations and the US, have had several waves of the deadly virus.&nbsp;

"Wuhan never hesitates to show its beauty, and those who love it deeply hope that more people can understand it," said a post on Facebook that intended to bring back tourists in the country.

"Wuhan never hesitates to show its beauty, and those who love it deeply hope that more people can understand it," said a post on Facebook that intended to bring back tourists in the country. China's Wuhan, which is commonly known for Covid-19's first epicentre has started promotions to lure travellers, stressing that the region is safe and its beauty needs to be experienced. Watch | × Titled as "Let's Meet in Wuhan," Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau posted on Weibo the video which highlighted the city's famous attractions, including Zhangdu Lake Wetland and the iconic Yellow Crane Tower, among others. Also read | With frozen food clampdown, China questions theory of coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan The video was then shared on Facebook on November 13 with a similar message, reports CNN. Also read | China: Journalist covering Wuhan outbreak, who was missing since Feb found "Wuhan never hesitates to show its beauty, and those who love it deeply hope that more people can understand it," the Facebook post said "From the myriad twinkling lights along the Yangtze River and the amazing dance and music from the Zhiyin cruise to the glittering light and beautiful voices from the live house......give me five! Everyone! Looking forward to meeting you in Wuhan." A 76-day lockdown was imposed in Wuhan from January 23 to April 8 when the coronavirus outbreak began in China and was by and large spread in this region. However, the infections in the region slowed down considerably since then and it has not reported a single infection since May at a time when several developed countries, including the European nations and the US, have had several waves of the deadly virus.

Wuhan, coronavirus's first epicentre attempts to bring back travellers

India reported a record daily jump of 90,633 Coronavirus cases in 24 hours and reported 1,065 fatalities linked to the virus. The county may soon become world's new virus epicentre. India has crossed 4.1 million mark with the death toll crossing the 70,000 mark.

90,633 fresh Coronavirus cases in biggest one-day rise in India

As Europe sounded alarm over fresh coronavirus outbreak, British PM Boris Johnson said that in some places there were "signs of a second wave of the pandemic."

Watch:

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"Let's be absolutely clear about what's happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I'm afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic."

"I'm afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries, it is really our job, our duty to act swiftly and decisively to stop reinfecting, to stop travellers coming back from those places and seeding the disease here in the UK," he said.

The UK has decided on a 14-day quarantine for all travellers arriving from Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticised the decision saying it was &nbsp;"unbalanced".&nbsp;

However, Johnson said the move was correct insisting that "what we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again."&nbsp;

Spain and Germany stepped up efforts on restrictions as new outbreaks were reported as Greece declared that it would open ports but it will make masks compulsory again in shops and public services.

Meanwhile, the WHO warned that seasons do not affect the spread of the virus. Spain which was the worst affected country due to the pandemic, reported 361 active outbreaks and more than 4,000 new cases even as the Spainsh tourism industry has struggled to get off the ground.

Germany which has kept the virus under control has reported 557 new cases for the past one week.&nbsp;

As Europe sounded alarm over fresh coronavirus outbreak, British PM Boris Johnson said that in some places there were "signs of a second wave of the pandemic." Watch: "Let's be absolutely clear about what's happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I'm afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.

As Europe sounded alarm over fresh coronavirus outbreak, British PM Boris Johnson said that in some places there were "signs of a second wave of the pandemic." Watch: "Let's be absolutely clear about what's happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I'm afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic." "I'm afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries, it is really our job, our duty to act swiftly and decisively to stop reinfecting, to stop travellers coming back from those places and seeding the disease here in the UK," he said. The UK has decided on a 14-day quarantine for all travellers arriving from Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticised the decision saying it was "unbalanced". However, Johnson said the move was correct insisting that "what we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again." Spain and Germany stepped up efforts on restrictions as new outbreaks were reported as Greece declared that it would open ports but it will make masks compulsory again in shops and public services. Meanwhile, the WHO warned that seasons do not affect the spread of the virus. Spain which was the worst affected country due to the pandemic, reported 361 active outbreaks and more than 4,000 new cases even as the Spainsh tourism industry has struggled to get off the ground. Germany which has kept the virus under control has reported 557 new cases for the past one week.

'Signs of second wave': UK decides to quarantine all travellers arriving from Spain

Cape Town has become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa and one of the hotspots of the African continent.

The popular tourist destination -- with high levels of community transmission -- has so far reported more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, representing 63 per cent of South Africa's 19,000 cases and about 10 per cent of Africa's 95,000 cases.

Cape Town is expected to reach its peak of cases around the end of June, while the rest of South Africa is expected to peak in August or September.&nbsp;

A study has predicted that South Africa may see between 40,000 to 45,000 deaths by November.

By year's end some 13 million of South Africa's 57 million people could be infected, their study said.

Cape Town could experience a shortage of ICU beds by the end of June, it added.

A second hotspot in the outbreak is the Tygerburg area near Cape Town International Airport.

Cape Town has become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa and one of the hotspots of the African continent. The popular tourist destination -- with high levels of community transmission -- has so far reported more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, representing 63 per cent of South Africa's 19,000 cases and about 10 per cent of Africa's 95,000 cases.

Cape Town has become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa and one of the hotspots of the African continent. The popular tourist destination -- with high levels of community transmission -- has so far reported more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, representing 63 per cent of South Africa's 19,000 cases and about 10 per cent of Africa's 95,000 cases. Cape Town is expected to reach its peak of cases around the end of June, while the rest of South Africa is expected to peak in August or September. A study has predicted that South Africa may see between 40,000 to 45,000 deaths by November. By year's end some 13 million of South Africa's 57 million people could be infected, their study said. Cape Town could experience a shortage of ICU beds by the end of June, it added. A second hotspot in the outbreak is the Tygerburg area near Cape Town International Airport.

Cape Town turns coronavirus hotspot for the African continent

US health officials made cautiously optimistic noises about coronavirus despite high death tolls Thursday, suggesting Americans might be able to take summer holidays, as falling hospitalization rates hint at a turning point in the battle against COVID-19.

With unemployment skyrocketing and the economy tanking, President Donald Trump is keen to lift social confinement measures and get the United States open for business again as soon as possible.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wobbles-as-new-york-becomes-coronavirus-epicentre-291628" hreflang="en">Trump wobbles as New York becomes coronavirus epicentre</a>

Trump's top pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci warned America cannot be reopened overnight due to the threat of further waves of infections,but said it could be up and running again by the summer months.

That is, he said, providing citizens adhere to social distancing guidelines and widespread stay-at-home orders, which have the vast majority of Americans on lockdown, throughout April.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-new-york-reports-new-one-day-record-death-toll-as-governor-cuomo-says-hospitalizations-have-fallen-291631" hreflang="en">COVID-19: New York reports new one-day record death toll as governor Cuomo says hospitalizations have fallen</a>

Nationwide, the US recorded 1,783 death over the past 24 hours, down by 190 from Wednesday's record-breaking toll.

The country has suffered more than 16,500 virus-related fatalities -- the second-highest number in the world after Italy. And it has emerged as the country with the most&nbsp;coronavirus cases, at more than 460,000.

When asked by "CBS This Morning" whether he could envision a summer of vacations, baseball games, weddings and family get-togethers, infectious disease expert Fauci replied, "It can be in the cards."

His comments came as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo struck a similar tone of cautious optimism despite the state reporting a record single-day death toll for the third time this week Thursday.

New York is bearing the brunt of the United States' deadly coronavirus pandemic, accounting&nbsp;for around half the number of deaths across the country.

Cuomo said COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 799 New Yorkers in the past 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll to more than 7,000 and outdoing the previous high of 779 announced on Wednesday.

He added though that the curve was flattening because of social distancing orders.&nbsp;

New York is bearing the brunt of the United States' deadly coronavirus pandemic, accounting&nbsp;for around half the number of deaths

US health officials made cautiously optimistic noises about coronavirus despite high death tolls Thursday, suggesting Americans might be able to take summer holidays, as falling hospitalization rates hint at a turning point in the battle against COVID-19.

US health officials made cautiously optimistic noises about coronavirus despite high death tolls Thursday, suggesting Americans might be able to take summer holidays, as falling hospitalization rates hint at a turning point in the battle against COVID-19. With unemployment skyrocketing and the economy tanking, President Donald Trump is keen to lift social confinement measures and get the United States open for business again as soon as possible. Also read: Trump wobbles as New York becomes coronavirus epicentre Trump's top pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci warned America cannot be reopened overnight due to the threat of further waves of infections,but said it could be up and running again by the summer months. That is, he said, providing citizens adhere to social distancing guidelines and widespread stay-at-home orders, which have the vast majority of Americans on lockdown, throughout April. Also read: COVID-19: New York reports new one-day record death toll as governor Cuomo says hospitalizations have fallen Nationwide, the US recorded 1,783 death over the past 24 hours, down by 190 from Wednesday's record-breaking toll. The country has suffered more than 16,500 virus-related fatalities -- the second-highest number in the world after Italy. And it has emerged as the country with the most coronavirus cases, at more than 460,000. When asked by "CBS This Morning" whether he could envision a summer of vacations, baseball games, weddings and family get-togethers, infectious disease expert Fauci replied, "It can be in the cards." His comments came as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo struck a similar tone of cautious optimism despite the state reporting a record single-day death toll for the third time this week Thursday. New York is bearing the brunt of the United States' deadly coronavirus pandemic, accounting for around half the number of deaths across the country. Cuomo said COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 799 New Yorkers in the past 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll to more than 7,000 and outdoing the previous high of 779 announced on Wednesday. He added though that the curve was flattening because of social distancing orders. New York is bearing the brunt of the United States' deadly coronavirus pandemic, accounting for around half the number of deaths

US cautiously optimistic as coronavirus curve appears to flatten

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