Health ministers from at least 194 states are attending the WHO's annual world health assembly. The meeting is expected to focus on pandemic reforms.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-who-ever-reveal-covid-19-origins-387161/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, 18 months into the pandemic, there is still no proof about the origin of the pandemic - bats, minks, frozen meat or an accidental lab leak?

The WHO had promised to find an answer but it has only added to the confusion. On May 19, the global health body had launched a probe. An investigation to trace the origins of the virus.

However, in the months that followed, the WHO presented many hypotheses, supported them with evidence but then went on to counter each one of them.

"The evidence we have from the sequencing and all that we have been advised is that the virus itself is of natural origin," Micheal Ryan, WHO's emergencies director had said.

It's been a never-ending cycle of claims and counter-claims. Now, the cycle has entered another phase. The global health body is meeting once again.

"I wish to confirm that all hypotheses remain open and require further analysis and studies," Tedros had said in February on the virus origin.

"WHO is committed to do everything it can, based on science and solutions, to find the origin," Tedros had said earlier.

It was only in January 2021 that a team of 10 researchers with expertise in virology had travelled to Wuhan. They visited hospitals that treated some of the first patients.

The infamous seafood market where the virus was first detected and the Centre of Disease Control in Wuhan was also verified by the WHO team even as cameras followed the investigators everywhere they went.

The evidence they relied on was given by Chinese officials. However, Beijing had turned the entire WHO probe into a charade. The WHO complied.

"The finding suggests that the laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus&nbsp;into the human population," Peter ben Embarek, WHO foreign team leader in joint China-WHO mission, said.

"We did not find evidence of large outbreaks that could be related to cases of COVID-19 prior to December '19 in Wuhan or elsewhere," Embarek remarked.

A few weeks later the WHO published a written report of the findings but failed to answer all questions.

The WHO had said it was possible virus jump directly from an animal to a human. It had also said the virus could have jumped from one animal to another and then to humans.

In fact, on the question of whether the virus spread from cold food supplies, again the WHO said it was possible.

The health body had left every hypothesis open. Only the lab leak theory was declared extremely unlikely. Now, findings shared by the US intelligence community have given a new life to the theory.

Their report claims that researchers at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology&nbsp;had fallen sick as early as November 2019. This disclosure comes amid the ongoing world health assembly but world leaders are not discussing the origins this year.

They are busy discussing reforms and the question of where the virus came from has been brushed aside.

Health ministers from at least 194 states are attending the WHO's annual world health assembly. The meeting is expected to focus on pandemic reforms. Watch: However, 18 months into the pandemic, there is still no proof about the origin of the pandemic - bats, minks, frozen meat or an accidental lab leak?

Health ministers from at least 194 states are attending the WHO's annual world health assembly. The meeting is expected to focus on pandemic reforms. Watch: However, 18 months into the pandemic, there is still no proof about the origin of the pandemic - bats, minks, frozen meat or an accidental lab leak? The WHO had promised to find an answer but it has only added to the confusion. On May 19, the global health body had launched a probe. An investigation to trace the origins of the virus. However, in the months that followed, the WHO presented many hypotheses, supported them with evidence but then went on to counter each one of them. "The evidence we have from the sequencing and all that we have been advised is that the virus itself is of natural origin," Micheal Ryan, WHO's emergencies director had said. It's been a never-ending cycle of claims and counter-claims. Now, the cycle has entered another phase. The global health body is meeting once again. "I wish to confirm that all hypotheses remain open and require further analysis and studies," Tedros had said in February on the virus origin. "WHO is committed to do everything it can, based on science and solutions, to find the origin," Tedros had said earlier. It was only in January 2021 that a team of 10 researchers with expertise in virology had travelled to Wuhan. They visited hospitals that treated some of the first patients. The infamous seafood market where the virus was first detected and the Centre of Disease Control in Wuhan was also verified by the WHO team even as cameras followed the investigators everywhere they went. The evidence they relied on was given by Chinese officials. However, Beijing had turned the entire WHO probe into a charade. The WHO complied. "The finding suggests that the laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population," Peter ben Embarek, WHO foreign team leader in joint China-WHO mission, said. "We did not find evidence of large outbreaks that could be related to cases of COVID-19 prior to December '19 in Wuhan or elsewhere," Embarek remarked. A few weeks later the WHO published a written report of the findings but failed to answer all questions. The WHO had said it was possible virus jump directly from an animal to a human. It had also said the virus could have jumped from one animal to another and then to humans. In fact, on the question of whether the virus spread from cold food supplies, again the WHO said it was possible. The health body had left every hypothesis open. Only the lab leak theory was declared extremely unlikely. Now, findings shared by the US intelligence community have given a new life to the theory. Their report claims that researchers at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology had fallen sick as early as November 2019. This disclosure comes amid the ongoing world health assembly but world leaders are not discussing the origins this year. They are busy discussing reforms and the question of where the virus came from has been brushed aside.

Bats, minks, frozen meat or lab leak? WHO still in the dark over coronavirus origin

According to an American newspaper, in November 2019, three researchers in China fell sick - all three of them worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Watch:

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It is the same Wuhan laboratory that is at the centre of the controversy. All three researchers from the lab had to be admitted to the hospital around the same time when the Covid&nbsp;outbreak is said to have begun.

It is the findings of the US intelligence which is part of a report that has not been shared by the US government with the public.

It is also not the first time reports of China's Wuhan virology institute have come out.&nbsp;

During the Trump administration, the US State Department had issued a factsheet which claimed that several Chinese researchers in the Wuhan institute had fallen sick in the autumn of 2019 and they showed symptoms consistent with the Wuhan virus.

The new report says the same. China had reported its first case of the Wuhan virus on December 8, 2019. The researchers were allegedly hospitalised just before that.&nbsp;

The development is significant for two reasons - firstly, the finding suggests that the virus was in circulation well before December. Secondly, if the virus was spreading before December, then, the Wuhan wet market can't be called the original epicentre.

Both of these suspicions have been shared by investigators who went to Wuhan - the WHO team who gave its report earlier this year.

The WHO team had gone to Wuhan and expressed the same views. As for China, it denies all these claims.

"The Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese academy of sciences issued a relevant statement on March 23 this year. It stated that before December 30, 2019, coronavirus was not contracted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Until now, there has been zero infection of staff and post-graduate students at the institute," Zhao Lijian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said.

The WHO team had asked for raw data from the Wuhan lab but China had refused. However, safety logs and lab records of the Wuhan Institute of Virology data specifically talks about its extensive research on coronaviruses in bats.

The Wuhan lab had collected samples and conducted studies and that's where the suspicion arose. America's top infectious disease expect Dr. Anthony Fauci says he is not convinced that the virus is natural.

Fauci doesn't rule out a lab leak. Fauci and several scientists have once again called for a new investigation. However, Fauci himself is under fire for his alleged links with the lab.&nbsp;

Recently, he was grilled by an American lawmaker because American grant money ended up sponsoring research at the Wuhan lab. It was reportedly authorised by Fauci.

Reports say that America's National Institute of Health (NIH) gave more than $3 million over six years to an organisation called the Ecohealth Alliance. The funding was to study different coronaviruses from bats. Reports say out of $3.7 million, ecohealth alliance gave $600,000 to the Wuhan lab.

Fauci was asked if this funding was for gain of function research, meaning, the kind of research where you deliberately create dangerous variants of viruses. Fauci denied it, however, now, he says he's not convinced that the virus is natural.

The lab theory has been extremely controversial but there is no proof yet.

However, it keeps coming back to life.

The WHO team had dismissed it outright but, in a rare act of dissent, WHO director-general Dr Tedros refused to accept that conclusion.

Tedros said more research was needed to dismiss the lab leak theory. It seems everyone agrees that more research and more investigation is needed.

According to an American newspaper, in November 2019, three researchers in China fell sick - all three of them worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Watch: It is the same Wuhan laboratory that is at the centre of the controversy.

According to an American newspaper, in November 2019, three researchers in China fell sick - all three of them worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Watch: It is the same Wuhan laboratory that is at the centre of the controversy. All three researchers from the lab had to be admitted to the hospital around the same time when the Covid outbreak is said to have begun. It is the findings of the US intelligence which is part of a report that has not been shared by the US government with the public. It is also not the first time reports of China's Wuhan virology institute have come out. During the Trump administration, the US State Department had issued a factsheet which claimed that several Chinese researchers in the Wuhan institute had fallen sick in the autumn of 2019 and they showed symptoms consistent with the Wuhan virus. The new report says the same. China had reported its first case of the Wuhan virus on December 8, 2019. The researchers were allegedly hospitalised just before that. The development is significant for two reasons - firstly, the finding suggests that the virus was in circulation well before December. Secondly, if the virus was spreading before December, then, the Wuhan wet market can't be called the original epicentre. Both of these suspicions have been shared by investigators who went to Wuhan - the WHO team who gave its report earlier this year. The WHO team had gone to Wuhan and expressed the same views. As for China, it denies all these claims. "The Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese academy of sciences issued a relevant statement on March 23 this year. It stated that before December 30, 2019, coronavirus was not contracted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Until now, there has been zero infection of staff and post-graduate students at the institute," Zhao Lijian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said. The WHO team had asked for raw data from the Wuhan lab but China had refused. However, safety logs and lab records of the Wuhan Institute of Virology data specifically talks about its extensive research on coronaviruses in bats. The Wuhan lab had collected samples and conducted studies and that's where the suspicion arose. America's top infectious disease expect Dr. Anthony Fauci says he is not convinced that the virus is natural. Fauci doesn't rule out a lab leak. Fauci and several scientists have once again called for a new investigation. However, Fauci himself is under fire for his alleged links with the lab. Recently, he was grilled by an American lawmaker because American grant money ended up sponsoring research at the Wuhan lab. It was reportedly authorised by Fauci. Reports say that America's National Institute of Health (NIH) gave more than $3 million over six years to an organisation called the Ecohealth Alliance. The funding was to study different coronaviruses from bats. Reports say out of $3.7 million, ecohealth alliance gave $600,000 to the Wuhan lab. Fauci was asked if this funding was for gain of function research, meaning, the kind of research where you deliberately create dangerous variants of viruses. Fauci denied it, however, now, he says he's not convinced that the virus is natural. The lab theory has been extremely controversial but there is no proof yet. However, it keeps coming back to life. The WHO team had dismissed it outright but, in a rare act of dissent, WHO director-general Dr Tedros refused to accept that conclusion. Tedros said more research was needed to dismiss the lab leak theory. It seems everyone agrees that more research and more investigation is needed.

Wuhan Institute of Virology in China once again under scanner over virus origin

As World Health Organization<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-team-probing-coronavirus-origin-in-china-leaves-wuhan-quarantine-359822">(WHO)</a> experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference".

Watch:

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"All these activities must be in accordance with the principle of tracking the origin scientifically and with the ultimate goal of preventing future risks and protecting the safety and health of the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

The WHO team left the hotel on Thursday although the itinerary&nbsp;of the team wasn't provided. The team is expected to visit the Huanan seafood wholesale market where the first case of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battle-with-covid-may-be-a-long-one-even-with-vaccines-359748">virus</a> was reportedly detected.

According to official Chinese data, nearly 3,900 people have died in Wuhan among the 4,636 fatalities nationwide. The origin of the virus has become the bone of contention between China and the US with Chinese state media citing the presence of the virus in imported frozen food.

The Chinese foreign ministry had alleged that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort&nbsp;Maryland last year was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Former US President Donald Trump had alleged that the virus may have been leaked by from a Wuhan laboratory where researchers were studying the virus.

The pandemic has surged in northeastern China in the past months with several cases reported in Hebei province surrounding Beijing. On Wednesday, China reported &nbsp;54 new coronavirus cases down from 75 COVID-19 cases a day earlier.

China's northeastern Heilongjiang province reported 28 new COVID-19 cases and neighbouring Jilin reported nine new coronavirus cases as the country continues to grapple with the virus.

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference".

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference". Watch: "All these activities must be in accordance with the principle of tracking the origin scientifically and with the ultimate goal of preventing future risks and protecting the safety and health of the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. The WHO team left the hotel on Thursday although the itinerary of the team wasn't provided. The team is expected to visit the Huanan seafood wholesale market where the first case of the virus was reportedly detected. According to official Chinese data, nearly 3,900 people have died in Wuhan among the 4,636 fatalities nationwide. The origin of the virus has become the bone of contention between China and the US with Chinese state media citing the presence of the virus in imported frozen food. The Chinese foreign ministry had alleged that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort Maryland last year was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Former US President Donald Trump had alleged that the virus may have been leaked by from a Wuhan laboratory where researchers were studying the virus. The pandemic has surged in northeastern China in the past months with several cases reported in Hebei province surrounding Beijing. On Wednesday, China reported 54 new coronavirus cases down from 75 COVID-19 cases a day earlier. China's northeastern Heilongjiang province reported 28 new COVID-19 cases and neighbouring Jilin reported nine new coronavirus cases as the country continues to grapple with the virus.

WHO must be allowed to work free from political interference: China on virus probe

British Covid experts have warned that the new coronavirus variant first identified in the country last month could be significantly more lethal as well as more contagious, raising the stakes in the global vaccination race.

Initially, British experts said that their evidence suggested the new strain circulating in the UK -- one of several to have emerged internationally in recent months -- was between 50 per cent and 70 per cent more transmissible.&nbsp;

On Friday, however, the government said the new variant could also be 30-40 per cent more deadly, although it stressed the assessment relied on sparse data.

What new evidence do the UK scientists have?&nbsp;

The mortality-risk evidence comes from the UK government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) and is based on four separate studies carried out on the same dataset. The studies link data from COVID-19 testing in the community with deaths from the disease.

While each analysis showed a slightly different result, all of them pointed to higher mortality risk among people infected with the B.1.1.7 variant than among those infected with other variants in the UK.

None of the analyses suggested the death risk is lower.

NERVTAG combined the findings into a model which estimated an average mortality risk increase of about 30%. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

British Covid experts have warned that the new coronavirus variant first identified in the country last month could be significantly more lethal as well as more contagious, raising the stakes in the global vaccination race.

British Covid experts have warned that the new coronavirus variant first identified in the country last month could be significantly more lethal as well as more contagious, raising the stakes in the global vaccination race. Initially, British experts said that their evidence suggested the new strain circulating in the UK -- one of several to have emerged internationally in recent months -- was between 50 per cent and 70 per cent more transmissible. On Friday, however, the government said the new variant could also be 30-40 per cent more deadly, although it stressed the assessment relied on sparse data. What new evidence do the UK scientists have? The mortality-risk evidence comes from the UK government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) and is based on four separate studies carried out on the same dataset. The studies link data from COVID-19 testing in the community with deaths from the disease. While each analysis showed a slightly different result, all of them pointed to higher mortality risk among people infected with the B.1.1.7 variant than among those infected with other variants in the UK. None of the analyses suggested the death risk is lower. NERVTAG combined the findings into a model which estimated an average mortality risk increase of about 30%. (With inputs from agencies)

What is behind fears that British Covid-19 variant is more deadly?

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus.

At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign. First, China floated new theories about the transmission of the virus. Beijing has been driving efforts to promote the claim that the virus spreads through the cold chain.

Several experts have raised doubts over these claims, however, reports say China has tried to convince the World Health Organisation(WHO) to acknowledge the theory.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-inside-chinas-campaign-to-change-the-origins-of-the-wuhan-virus-359541/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal had published a story which said the WHO has been caught between China and the western powers as the world health body had allegedly shared the draft of its new advice claiming the virus can spread through the cold chain and trigger an outbreak in countries that have managed to contain the virus.

The WHO has been formulating new advice for the public on the issue. A draft sent to the Wall Street Journal warns that the virus could spread via the cold chain and be reintroduced into countries where the pandemic is under control but the WHO later made a U-turn. It said the draft wasn't cleared for publication and sharing it was a mistake.

The United States, European Union and several other governments have disputed China's claims on the cold chains. The US, EU and several other governments have meanwhile disputed Beijing’s assessment of the evidence, as have many experts outside China.

Experts believe if china can get the WHO to sign off on it, it will help Beijing convince the world that the virus could have come from anywhere and the pandemic didn't begin in Wuhan.

It is a clear attempt to cast doubts over what the world already knows about the virus. China has been pushing conspiracy theories as well. A story about a biological lab is going viral on Chinese social media. Not the Wuhan lab but the Fort Detrick laboratory in Maryland, United States.

It all began with a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry as almost a week back a spokesperson made a rather absurd demand. She wanted America to open up the Detrick lab in Maryland to WHO investigators.

"The fact that the US government turns a blind eye to all the truths precisely demonstrates how some American politicians are comfortable with turning lies into 'truths' as long as they serve to attack and smear China. I would like to stress that if the United States truly respects facts, it should open the biological lab at Fort Detrick, give more transparency to issues like its 200-plus overseas bio-labs, invite WHO experts to conduct origin-tracing in the United States, and respond to the concerns from the international community with real actions," foreign affairs spokesman Hua Chunying said.

China has now come up with its own lab theory to defect the global attention on the Wuhan lab. The claims around the Wuhan lab are perhaps as old as the pandemic. It has been at the centre of several theories with claims floated around that the Wuhan virus was engineered at this lab. While scientists reject the claim that the virus was made in a lab, experts do not rule out the possibility that researchers could be studying samples of this virus and it could have escaped from the facility.

The is a claim was raised aggressively by the Trump administration which demanded that China open up the Wuhan lab to outside investigators especially the WHO&nbsp;instead of doing that China has raised the demand for an investigation into American labs first.

The world might find it preposterous but, within China the conspiracy theory went viral alongside exaggerated claims about the Pfizer vaccine. The Chinese press has claimed that the Pfizer shot is killing the elderly.

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus. At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign.

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus. At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign. First, China floated new theories about the transmission of the virus. Beijing has been driving efforts to promote the claim that the virus spreads through the cold chain. Several experts have raised doubts over these claims, however, reports say China has tried to convince the World Health Organisation(WHO) to acknowledge the theory. Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal had published a story which said the WHO has been caught between China and the western powers as the world health body had allegedly shared the draft of its new advice claiming the virus can spread through the cold chain and trigger an outbreak in countries that have managed to contain the virus. The WHO has been formulating new advice for the public on the issue. A draft sent to the Wall Street Journal warns that the virus could spread via the cold chain and be reintroduced into countries where the pandemic is under control but the WHO later made a U-turn. It said the draft wasn't cleared for publication and sharing it was a mistake. The United States, European Union and several other governments have disputed China's claims on the cold chains. The US, EU and several other governments have meanwhile disputed Beijing’s assessment of the evidence, as have many experts outside China. Experts believe if china can get the WHO to sign off on it, it will help Beijing convince the world that the virus could have come from anywhere and the pandemic didn't begin in Wuhan. It is a clear attempt to cast doubts over what the world already knows about the virus. China has been pushing conspiracy theories as well. A story about a biological lab is going viral on Chinese social media. Not the Wuhan lab but the Fort Detrick laboratory in Maryland, United States. It all began with a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry as almost a week back a spokesperson made a rather absurd demand. She wanted America to open up the Detrick lab in Maryland to WHO investigators. "The fact that the US government turns a blind eye to all the truths precisely demonstrates how some American politicians are comfortable with turning lies into 'truths' as long as they serve to attack and smear China. I would like to stress that if the United States truly respects facts, it should open the biological lab at Fort Detrick, give more transparency to issues like its 200-plus overseas bio-labs, invite WHO experts to conduct origin-tracing in the United States, and respond to the concerns from the international community with real actions," foreign affairs spokesman Hua Chunying said. China has now come up with its own lab theory to defect the global attention on the Wuhan lab. The claims around the Wuhan lab are perhaps as old as the pandemic. It has been at the centre of several theories with claims floated around that the Wuhan virus was engineered at this lab. While scientists reject the claim that the virus was made in a lab, experts do not rule out the possibility that researchers could be studying samples of this virus and it could have escaped from the facility. The is a claim was raised aggressively by the Trump administration which demanded that China open up the Wuhan lab to outside investigators especially the WHO instead of doing that China has raised the demand for an investigation into American labs first. The world might find it preposterous but, within China the conspiracy theory went viral alongside exaggerated claims about the Pfizer vaccine. The Chinese press has claimed that the Pfizer shot is killing the elderly.

Now, China makes absurd claims on coronavirus origin

China's city Wuhan has often been blamed for the origin of the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>. Now, after several scientists and health experts, the US Department of State has also accused China of establishing unjustified "secrecy" around the virus.

As per a new statement by the US Department of State, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a "deadly obsession with secrecy and control".&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-109-new-covid-19-cases-as-infections-persist-in-northeast-357391" hreflang="en">China reports 109 new COVID-19 cases as infections persist in northeast</a>

The US also claimed that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been conducting experiments on a virus which is genetically similar to the new coronavirus.

According to the US Department of State, several researchers at a lab in Wuhan had been experimenting on RaTG13, which was a bat coronavirus and is the closest sample to SAR-CoV-2. These experiments were being conducted "under conditions that increased the risk for accidental and potentially unwitting exposure", according to the US.

Following these experiments, several researchers fell ill and their symptoms were "consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses".

The US has, however, clarified they are not yet sure if and when did the virus transmission to humans take place.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-popular-hangout-for-bats-tourists-and-now-covid-sleuths-357373" hreflang="en">A popular hangout for bats, tourists and now Covid sleuths</a>

"We have not determined whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan, China," their statement read. "The virus could have emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals, spreading in a pattern consistent with a natural epidemic."

Providing an alternate theory, the statement read, "Alternatively, a laboratory accident could resemble a natural outbreak if the initial exposure included only a few individuals and was compounded by asymptomatic infection."

This accusation from the US has come at a time when a team of researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) have gone to China's Wuhan city — the original epicentre — to investigate the origin of this deadly virus, which was earlier believed to have spread from a wet market in Wuhan.

"The majority of scientists believe there is a natural origin of the virus, we know that bats are a natural reservoir of other coronaviruses, we really want to go and see and get the data," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic had told US media.

China's city Wuhan has often been blamed for the origin of the deadly coronavirus. Now, after several scientists and health experts, the US Department of State has also accused China of establishing unjustified "secrecy" around the virus.

China's city Wuhan has often been blamed for the origin of the deadly coronavirus. Now, after several scientists and health experts, the US Department of State has also accused China of establishing unjustified "secrecy" around the virus. As per a new statement by the US Department of State, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a "deadly obsession with secrecy and control". Also read| China reports 109 new COVID-19 cases as infections persist in northeast The US also claimed that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been conducting experiments on a virus which is genetically similar to the new coronavirus. According to the US Department of State, several researchers at a lab in Wuhan had been experimenting on RaTG13, which was a bat coronavirus and is the closest sample to SAR-CoV-2. These experiments were being conducted "under conditions that increased the risk for accidental and potentially unwitting exposure", according to the US. Following these experiments, several researchers fell ill and their symptoms were "consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses". The US has, however, clarified they are not yet sure if and when did the virus transmission to humans take place. Also read| A popular hangout for bats, tourists and now Covid sleuths "We have not determined whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan, China," their statement read. "The virus could have emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals, spreading in a pattern consistent with a natural epidemic." Providing an alternate theory, the statement read, "Alternatively, a laboratory accident could resemble a natural outbreak if the initial exposure included only a few individuals and was compounded by asymptomatic infection." This accusation from the US has come at a time when a team of researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) have gone to China's Wuhan city — the original epicentre — to investigate the origin of this deadly virus, which was earlier believed to have spread from a wet market in Wuhan. "The majority of scientists believe there is a natural origin of the virus, we know that bats are a natural reservoir of other coronaviruses, we really want to go and see and get the data," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic had told US media.

US claims Chinese researchers had coronavirus symptoms before initial reported cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the new UK coronavirus mutant strain has now spread to 50 countries, territories and areas.&nbsp;

The British-identified variant VOC 202012/01 was first reported to the WHO on December 14, 2020. The WHO further said that the South African-identified coronavirus variant 501Y.V2 has now been found in 20 countries, territories and areas.

A similar South African-identified strain has now been found in 20 countries.

The UN body also noted a third new coronavirus "variant of concern" found in Japan may impact upon immune response and needs further investigation.

"The more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change. High levels of transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge," said the WHO.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus which causes Covid-19 disease.

Since first being reported to the WHO on December 14, the British-identified variant VOC 202012/01 has been found in 50 countries, territories and areas, the agency said.

Test results showed the age and sex distribution was similar to that of other circulating variants, while contact tracing data revealed "higher transmissibility (secondary attack rates) where the index case has the variant strain".

The South African-identified variant 501Y.V2, first reported on December 18, has now been detected in 20 countries, territories and areas.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the new UK coronavirus mutant strain has now spread to 50 countries, territories and areas. The British-identified variant VOC 202012/01 was first reported to the WHO on December 14, 2020.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the new UK coronavirus mutant strain has now spread to 50 countries, territories and areas. The British-identified variant VOC 202012/01 was first reported to the WHO on December 14, 2020. The WHO further said that the South African-identified coronavirus variant 501Y.V2 has now been found in 20 countries, territories and areas. A similar South African-identified strain has now been found in 20 countries. The UN body also noted a third new coronavirus "variant of concern" found in Japan may impact upon immune response and needs further investigation. "The more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change. High levels of transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge," said the WHO. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus which causes Covid-19 disease. Since first being reported to the WHO on December 14, the British-identified variant VOC 202012/01 has been found in 50 countries, territories and areas, the agency said. Test results showed the age and sex distribution was similar to that of other circulating variants, while contact tracing data revealed "higher transmissibility (secondary attack rates) where the index case has the variant strain". The South African-identified variant 501Y.V2, first reported on December 18, has now been detected in 20 countries, territories and areas. (With inputs from agencies)

UK Covid strain now in 50 countries, South African variant in 20: WHO 

Chinese authorities confirmed that World Health Organizations(WHO) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-ramps-up-vaccination-drive-amid-surge-in-cases-355858">coronavirus</a> experts will arrive on Thursday to investigate the origins of the virus.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-places-11-mn-people-under-lockdown-as-shijazhuang-witnesses-dramatic-rise-in-covid-cases-355409/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China said the ten WHO scientists will work together "will conduct joint research cooperation on the origins of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinians-accuse-israel-of-shirking-duty-to-supply-vaccines-to-occupied-territory-355886">COVID-19</a> with Chinese scientists."

Beijing had earlier denied entry to the WHO team who were due to arrive last week as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he has "very disappointed". China had reported the first case of the virus on December 31, 2019 and the first fatality on January 11, 2020.

China had failed to grant visas to WHO officials leading the UN health body to hit out at Chinese officials. "I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying had said that "the issue of origin-tracing is incredibly complicated" while adding that "To ensure the work of the international expert team in China goes smoothly, we have to carry out necessary procedures and make relevant arrangements."&nbsp;

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan had said that it it was "absolute critical nature" while stating that he found the situation "frustrating and... disappointing" as Chinese officials refused to confirm the exact dates and details of the visit.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-micronesia-in-pacific-records-first-covid-19-case-355915">virus</a> which has surged across the globe has led the deaths over 1.9 million people while infecting over 90 million.

The United States is the worst-hit country with the pandemic recording over 374,320 fatalities and more than 22 million infection cases.

Chinese authorities confirmed that World Health Organizations(WHO) coronavirus experts will arrive on Thursday to investigate the origins of the virus. Watch: China said the ten WHO scientists will work together "will conduct joint research cooperation on the origins of COVID-19 with Chinese scientists.

Chinese authorities confirmed that World Health Organizations(WHO) coronavirus experts will arrive on Thursday to investigate the origins of the virus. Watch: China said the ten WHO scientists will work together "will conduct joint research cooperation on the origins of COVID-19 with Chinese scientists." Beijing had earlier denied entry to the WHO team who were due to arrive last week as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he has "very disappointed". China had reported the first case of the virus on December 31, 2019 and the first fatality on January 11, 2020. China had failed to grant visas to WHO officials leading the UN health body to hit out at Chinese officials. "I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying had said that "the issue of origin-tracing is incredibly complicated" while adding that "To ensure the work of the international expert team in China goes smoothly, we have to carry out necessary procedures and make relevant arrangements." WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan had said that it it was "absolute critical nature" while stating that he found the situation "frustrating and... disappointing" as Chinese officials refused to confirm the exact dates and details of the visit. The virus which has surged across the globe has led the deaths over 1.9 million people while infecting over 90 million. The United States is the worst-hit country with the pandemic recording over 374,320 fatalities and more than 22 million infection cases.

WHO experts to visit China from Thursday to investigate virus origin

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that he was “disappointed” with China as it hadn't finalised permissions for the arrival of the team which is set to investigate the origin of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-surge-continues-in-us-uk-despite-vaccine-roll-out-354678">coronavirus</a>.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-attempts-to-rewrite-the-story-of-wuhan-with-a-party-353936/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalized the necessary permissions for the team’s arrival in China,” Tedros said, adding," I’m very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute but had been in contact with senior Chinese officials."

WHO officials are already on the way to China to investigate the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-covid-19-lockdown-may-be-extended-till-march-minister-354624">virus </a>origin.&nbsp;

“We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible,” Tedros asserted while adding that China had assured speeding up of internal procedure.

China had earlier said it would give the WHO's expert team full access to investigate the virus origin. China had informed the first case of the virus to the WHO on December 31, 2019, although some experts feel the virus had taken hold much earlier.

The virus which spread to every corner of the globe in 2020 has led to over 1.8 million fatalities worldwide and over 85 million cases.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that he was “disappointed” with China as it hadn't finalised permissions for the arrival of the team which is set to investigate the origin of the coronavirus.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that he was “disappointed” with China as it hadn't finalised permissions for the arrival of the team which is set to investigate the origin of the coronavirus. Watch: “Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalized the necessary permissions for the team’s arrival in China,” Tedros said, adding," I’m very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute but had been in contact with senior Chinese officials." WHO officials are already on the way to China to investigate the virus origin. “We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible,” Tedros asserted while adding that China had assured speeding up of internal procedure. China had earlier said it would give the WHO's expert team full access to investigate the virus origin. China had informed the first case of the virus to the WHO on December 31, 2019, although some experts feel the virus had taken hold much earlier. The virus which spread to every corner of the globe in 2020 has led to over 1.8 million fatalities worldwide and over 85 million cases.

Disappointed with China over delayed access to virus investigation team: WHO chief Tedros

China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic's origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing.

While the world is still struggling with COVID-19, life in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the novel coronavirus, has returned back to normal.

The bustle, bright lights and din of the street appear to show a city back to some normality one year on from 31 December 2019, the day that health authorities in the city reported an unknown pneumonia outbreak to World Health Organization (WHO) colleagues in Beijing.

From the first days of COVID-19’s appearance in the city of Wuhan, Chinese leaders&nbsp;suppressed initial reporting and research about the outbreak, thereby slowing efforts to understand the virus and its pandemic potential.&nbsp;

As it began to contain the outbreak within its own borders, Beijing launched an assertive external information campaign aimed at sculpting global discussion of its handling of the virus. This campaign has clear goals: to deflect blame from Beijing’s own failings and to highlight other governments’ missteps.

Beijing was subject to significant criticism for a slew of reasons, including violations of&nbsp;individual rights&nbsp;and&nbsp;censorship, withholding information, and underreporting the severity.

After criticizing American officials for politicizing the&nbsp;pandemic,&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;officials and news outlets have floated unfounded theories that blamed the United States and later India as the source of the virus.

A&nbsp;Chinese court on Monday handed down a four-year jail term to a citizen-journalist who reported from the central city of Wuhan at the peak of this year's coronavirus outbreak on the grounds of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", her lawyer said.

Zhang Zhan, 37, the first such person known to have been tried, was among a handful of people whose firsthand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets painted a more dire picture of the pandemic epicentre than the official narrative.

China has also contributed an estimated additional $20 million to the WHO in a bid to strengthen the global response to the pandemic.

In statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China is painting itself as a success story. Earlier this week, the foreign ministry said “[China will] contribute [its] strength and wisdom to securing a final victory against the pandemic and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

China has made considerable progress in developing its economy and eradicating rural poverty over the past year despite the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said in a New Year’s address on Thursday.

&nbsp;

China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic's origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing.

China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic's origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing. While the world is still struggling with COVID-19, life in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the novel coronavirus, has returned back to normal. The bustle, bright lights and din of the street appear to show a city back to some normality one year on from 31 December 2019, the day that health authorities in the city reported an unknown pneumonia outbreak to World Health Organization (WHO) colleagues in Beijing. From the first days of COVID-19’s appearance in the city of Wuhan, Chinese leaders suppressed initial reporting and research about the outbreak, thereby slowing efforts to understand the virus and its pandemic potential. As it began to contain the outbreak within its own borders, Beijing launched an assertive external information campaign aimed at sculpting global discussion of its handling of the virus. This campaign has clear goals: to deflect blame from Beijing’s own failings and to highlight other governments’ missteps. Beijing was subject to significant criticism for a slew of reasons, including violations of individual rights and censorship, withholding information, and underreporting the severity. After criticizing American officials for politicizing the pandemic, Chinese officials and news outlets have floated unfounded theories that blamed the United States and later India as the source of the virus. A Chinese court on Monday handed down a four-year jail term to a citizen-journalist who reported from the central city of Wuhan at the peak of this year's coronavirus outbreak on the grounds of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", her lawyer said. Zhang Zhan, 37, the first such person known to have been tried, was among a handful of people whose firsthand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets painted a more dire picture of the pandemic epicentre than the official narrative. China has also contributed an estimated additional $20 million to the WHO in a bid to strengthen the global response to the pandemic. In statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China is painting itself as a success story. Earlier this week, the foreign ministry said “[China will] contribute [its] strength and wisdom to securing a final victory against the pandemic and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.” China has made considerable progress in developing its economy and eradicating rural poverty over the past year despite the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said in a New Year’s address on Thursday.

Wuhan one year on: How China tried to spin the tale of the pandemic

As the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-experts-to-visit-china-next-month-to-investigate-animal-origins-of-coronavirus-350234">WHO</a> investigates the origins of coronavirus, reports say Chinese government officials are strictly controlling all research into the origins of the virus.

Watch:

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A WHO team had first visited Wuhan in January 2020 visited the Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Zhongnan hospital, Hubei provincial CDC including China’s Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Data collected by WHO officials in January had shown that "human-to-human transmission" was taking place in Wuhan.

Now reports say that the publication of new coronavirus reports should first be approved by China's new task force which is part the country's cabinet under President Xi Jinping.

A Chinese citizen journalist 37-year-old Zhang Zhan was recently jailed for four years for her reporting from Wuhan on the COVID-19 outbreak. A Chinese court said Zhang Zhan had spread "false remarks" online.

Zhang had gone on hunger strike and was reportedly forced fed through a nasal tube. Zhang had reportedly written an essay accusing the Chinese government of not giving enough information on the Wuhan virus and had simply locked down the city".

China had reportedly detained four citizen journalists after reporting from Wuhan to face trial.

China had reported the first case of the virus on December 31, 2019 to the WHO even as reports said later that there were several reports of coronavirus earlier and that authorities had taken too long to react.

The virus has already claimed over 1.7 million lives worldwide and infected over 82&nbsp;million people.

As the WHO investigates the origins of coronavirus, reports say Chinese government officials are strictly controlling all research into the origins of the virus.

As the WHO investigates the origins of coronavirus, reports say Chinese government officials are strictly controlling all research into the origins of the virus. Watch: A WHO team had first visited Wuhan in January 2020 visited the Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Zhongnan hospital, Hubei provincial CDC including China’s Center for Disease Control (CDC). Data collected by WHO officials in January had shown that "human-to-human transmission" was taking place in Wuhan. Now reports say that the publication of new coronavirus reports should first be approved by China's new task force which is part the country's cabinet under President Xi Jinping. A Chinese citizen journalist 37-year-old Zhang Zhan was recently jailed for four years for her reporting from Wuhan on the COVID-19 outbreak. A Chinese court said Zhang Zhan had spread "false remarks" online. Zhang had gone on hunger strike and was reportedly forced fed through a nasal tube. Zhang had reportedly written an essay accusing the Chinese government of not giving enough information on the Wuhan virus and had simply locked down the city". China had reportedly detained four citizen journalists after reporting from Wuhan to face trial. China had reported the first case of the virus on December 31, 2019 to the WHO even as reports said later that there were several reports of coronavirus earlier and that authorities had taken too long to react. The virus has already claimed over 1.7 million lives worldwide and infected over 82 million people.

How Chinese officials are monitoring coronavirus origin research

Amid row over the coronavirus probe initiated by Australia, China's deputy head of mission in Australia Wang Xining compared its World War-II ally to "Brutus approaching Julius Caesar".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-detains-australian-journalist-allows-consular-access-324409">Also Read:&nbsp;China detains Australian journalist, allows consular access</a>

Wang said the "shocking proposal" from Australia which was "supposed to be a good friend of China", explained: "I think it is approximately identical to Julius Caesar in his final day when he saw Brutus approaching him: Et tu, Brute?"

Wang used the Latin phrase "Et tu, Brute?" meaning "And you, Brutus?"

"We respect the traditional relationship between Australia and the United States but China was your ally during the World War-II. The problem is whether you target a third party with the strength of an alliance. This is what we do not agree with. If we find any tendency to use the strength of an alliance to strike China what currently some of the US politicians are doing, then we will express clearly our opposition and our position," Wang insisted.

United States, Canada, European Union and the United Kindom, including Australia, had raised concern about the origin of coronavirus and had asked for an independent probe. The Chinese government eventually allowed a World Health Organization(WHO) team to visit the country to conduct the investigation.

Wang said that Chinese blogs, Chinese websites and even the comments of the blog had expressed "indignation, anger and frustration" over Australia's sudden move.

"We made our representations to the Australian government which is well aware of what the differences are, and we made clear to our counterparts that we should work together to enhance the efficiency and the profitability of bilateral collaboration on whatever field," Wang added.

Amid row over the coronavirus probe initiated by Australia, China's deputy head of mission in Australia Wang Xining compared its World War-II ally to "Brutus approaching Julius Caesar".

Amid row over the coronavirus probe initiated by Australia, China's deputy head of mission in Australia Wang Xining compared its World War-II ally to "Brutus approaching Julius Caesar". Also Read: China detains Australian journalist, allows consular access Wang said the "shocking proposal" from Australia which was "supposed to be a good friend of China", explained: "I think it is approximately identical to Julius Caesar in his final day when he saw Brutus approaching him: Et tu, Brute?" Wang used the Latin phrase "Et tu, Brute?" meaning "And you, Brutus?" "We respect the traditional relationship between Australia and the United States but China was your ally during the World War-II. The problem is whether you target a third party with the strength of an alliance. This is what we do not agree with. If we find any tendency to use the strength of an alliance to strike China what currently some of the US politicians are doing, then we will express clearly our opposition and our position," Wang insisted. United States, Canada, European Union and the United Kindom, including Australia, had raised concern about the origin of coronavirus and had asked for an independent probe. The Chinese government eventually allowed a World Health Organization(WHO) team to visit the country to conduct the investigation. Wang said that Chinese blogs, Chinese websites and even the comments of the blog had expressed "indignation, anger and frustration" over Australia's sudden move. "We made our representations to the Australian government which is well aware of what the differences are, and we made clear to our counterparts that we should work together to enhance the efficiency and the profitability of bilateral collaboration on whatever field," Wang added.

'And you, Brutus?': Chinese official explains hurt over Australia's COVID-19 probe

China has released the first pictures of its virus factory -- the Wuhan Virology lab. What are Beijing's reasons behind releasing the pictures six months after the pandemic has killed 5 lakh people? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Wuhan virology lab | Inside China's virus factory