After visiting the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-team-visits-china-virus-lab-in-wuhan-360964">Wuhan </a>market which is widely considered the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, a World Health Organization(WHO) member said further work was needed to try to trace genetic elements of the virus in bat caves.

Watch:

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Peter Daszak, a zoologist and animal disease expert said that work on likely bat source was needed in order to reduce contact with those animals which are the likely reason for the virus.

WHO members had earlier investigated the Huanan seafood market including a wholescale outlet which was closely monitored by the Chinese authorities. Daszak added that it was "very important site visits".

"The real work we are doing here is to trace back from the first cases back to an animal reservoir, and that's a much more convoluted path, and may have happened over a number of months or even years," Daszak said.

Daszak said he "met with key staff at both markets and asked questions to help better understand the factors involved in the emergence of COVID". Daszak added that WHO experts also met with staff in charge of livestock surveillance and had in-depth discussion.

The WHO team also visited the Jinyintan hospital that treated the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in late 2019. The UN health body experts also visited the propaganda exhibition which celebrating China's recovery from the pandemic in Wuhan on Saturday.

The origin of the virus has become a global controversy with the former Trump administration accusing China of hiding the virus spread in the initial months even as the Biden administration demanded&nbsp;"robust and clear" investigation. 
&nbsp;

After visiting the Wuhan market which is widely considered the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, a World Health Organization(WHO) member said further work was needed to try to trace genetic elements of the virus in bat caves.

After visiting the Wuhan market which is widely considered the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, a World Health Organization(WHO) member said further work was needed to try to trace genetic elements of the virus in bat caves. Watch: Peter Daszak, a zoologist and animal disease expert said that work on likely bat source was needed in order to reduce contact with those animals which are the likely reason for the virus. WHO members had earlier investigated the Huanan seafood market including a wholescale outlet which was closely monitored by the Chinese authorities. Daszak added that it was "very important site visits". "The real work we are doing here is to trace back from the first cases back to an animal reservoir, and that's a much more convoluted path, and may have happened over a number of months or even years," Daszak said. Daszak said he "met with key staff at both markets and asked questions to help better understand the factors involved in the emergence of COVID". Daszak added that WHO experts also met with staff in charge of livestock surveillance and had in-depth discussion. The WHO team also visited the Jinyintan hospital that treated the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in late 2019. The UN health body experts also visited the propaganda exhibition which celebrating China's recovery from the pandemic in Wuhan on Saturday. The origin of the virus has become a global controversy with the former Trump administration accusing China of hiding the virus spread in the initial months even as the Biden administration demanded "robust and clear" investigation.

Bat caves in China need further work to trace virus genetic origin: WHO expert in Wuhan

The Wuhan virus has mutated again in the United Kingdom. Will the world need new vaccines to fight the mutating virus? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus mutates again in the UK

&nbsp;According to the US national counterintelligence and security centre, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-team-visits-china-virus-lab-in-wuhan-360964">Chinese</a> companies have gained access to US healthcare data by partnering with hospitals, universities, and other research organizations in America.

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For a deep dive on the risks posed by China’s collection of genomic data and other healthcare information from America, see the fact sheet released today by <a href="https://twitter.com/NCSCgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCSCgov</a>. 
 
Visit: <a href="https://t.co/OzWhPolsUB">https://t.co/OzWhPolsUB</a> <a href="https://t.co/hDqx34yyuz">pic.twitter.com/hDqx34yyuz</a>
— NCSC (@NCSCgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCSCgov/status/1356266543131340802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The report said that the People's Republic of China(PRC)&nbsp;has for years been able to gain access to US healthcare data, including genomic data, through a variety of channels, both legal and illegal, while asserting that, "People's Republic of China’s acquisition of US healthcare data is helping to fuel China’s Artificial Intelligence and precision medicine industries."

The counterintelligence agency said that China’s access to US healthcare and genomic data poses serious privacy and national security risks to the US.

The US agency said China’s access to US health and genomic data poses long term economic challenges for the United States

"US healthcare data may be particularly attractive and valuable to China because of the ethnic diversity of the US population," the report said. The US agency said Chinese authorities have an advantage since the US has fewer safeguards on medical and healthcare data, including data for research purposes.

"Over the years, Chinese companies have taken advantage of this environment by investing in US firms that handle sensitive healthcare and other types of personal data, providing them entry to the US market and access to this data," the report claimed.

According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the COVID-19 labs have been providing Chinese researchers with access to healthcare data from around the globe since the PRC has aggressively marketed Chinese COVID-19 testing kits around the world, along with laboratories to support COVID-19 testing.

"By August 2020, China’s leading genomics company, BGI, said it had sold test kits to 180 countries and established labs in 18 countries in the past six months," the agency informed.

The report stated that the PRC views bulk personal data, including healthcare and genomic data, as a "strategic commodity" to be collected and used for its "economic and national security priorities."

The PRC is investing heavily in the “biotech revolution” and has enacted national policies prioritizing the collection of healthcare data both at home and abroad, it said.

According to the US national counterintelligence and security centre, Chinese companies have gained access to US healthcare data by partnering with hospitals, universities, and other research organizations in America.

According to the US national counterintelligence and security centre, Chinese companies have gained access to US healthcare data by partnering with hospitals, universities, and other research organizations in America. For a deep dive on the risks posed by China’s collection of genomic data and other healthcare information from America, see the fact sheet released today by @NCSCgov. Visit: https://t.co/OzWhPolsUB pic.twitter.com/hDqx34yyuz — NCSC (@NCSCgov) February 1, 2021 × The report said that the People's Republic of China(PRC) has for years been able to gain access to US healthcare data, including genomic data, through a variety of channels, both legal and illegal, while asserting that, "People's Republic of China’s acquisition of US healthcare data is helping to fuel China’s Artificial Intelligence and precision medicine industries." The counterintelligence agency said that China’s access to US healthcare and genomic data poses serious privacy and national security risks to the US. The US agency said China’s access to US health and genomic data poses long term economic challenges for the United States "US healthcare data may be particularly attractive and valuable to China because of the ethnic diversity of the US population," the report said. The US agency said Chinese authorities have an advantage since the US has fewer safeguards on medical and healthcare data, including data for research purposes. "Over the years, Chinese companies have taken advantage of this environment by investing in US firms that handle sensitive healthcare and other types of personal data, providing them entry to the US market and access to this data," the report claimed. According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the COVID-19 labs have been providing Chinese researchers with access to healthcare data from around the globe since the PRC has aggressively marketed Chinese COVID-19 testing kits around the world, along with laboratories to support COVID-19 testing. "By August 2020, China’s leading genomics company, BGI, said it had sold test kits to 180 countries and established labs in 18 countries in the past six months," the agency informed. The report stated that the PRC views bulk personal data, including healthcare and genomic data, as a "strategic commodity" to be collected and used for its "economic and national security priorities." The PRC is investing heavily in the “biotech revolution” and has enacted national policies prioritizing the collection of healthcare data both at home and abroad, it said.

China has access to US healthcare, including genomic data: US counterintelligence report

From blaming frozen food to suggesting that the pandemic could have begun in the United States - China has launched a campaign to change the origins of the Wuhan virus. WION's Palki tells you how China is floating new theories to shift the blame for the pandemic.

Gravitas: China blames Wuhan virus outbreak on frozen food

A team of experts led by the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization&nbsp;(WHO) investigating the origins of COVID-19&nbsp;on Wednesday visited a laboratory in China's Wuhan Institute of Virology&nbsp;that American officials have suggested could have been the source of the&nbsp;outbreak.

The inspection of the Wuhan virology institute, which conducts research on the world's most dangerous diseases, will be one of the most-watched stops on the team's probe into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The sensitive mission, which China had delayed throughout the first year of the pandemic, has a remit to explore how the virus jumped from animal to human.

There was speculation early in the pandemic that the virus could have accidentally leaked from the biosafety lab in Wuhan.

Then-US president Donald Trump and his supporters seized on those rumours and amplified them with conspiracy theories that China deliberately leaked the virus.

Chinese state broadcaster CGTN said Wednesday the WHO team would "visit the national biosafety laboratory and exchange ideas with experts of the institute on their daily work, international scientific cooperation, anti-epidemic efforts and contribution".

The independent team has already visited key hospitals, the regional disease control centre and the city's Huanan seafood market, where the first cluster of infections was believed to have originated late in 2019.

Earlier,&nbsp;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.

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 centre in the province of Hubei, which fights epidemic diseases in animals, could provide information on how a coronavirus endemic in horseshoe bats in southwest China might have crossed into humans, possibly via an intermediary species.

Studies suggest the virus could have been transferred from mink or pangolins, but there has also been speculation that traders dealing in bat products could have carried the disease for months before it began to spread in Wuhan.

A team of experts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) investigating the origins of COVID-19 on Wednesday visited a laboratory in China's Wuhan Institute of Virology that American officials have suggested could have been the source of the outbreak.

A team of experts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) investigating the origins of COVID-19 on Wednesday visited a laboratory in China's Wuhan Institute of Virology that American officials have suggested could have been the source of the outbreak. The inspection of the Wuhan virology institute, which conducts research on the world's most dangerous diseases, will be one of the most-watched stops on the team's probe into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The sensitive mission, which China had delayed throughout the first year of the pandemic, has a remit to explore how the virus jumped from animal to human. There was speculation early in the pandemic that the virus could have accidentally leaked from the biosafety lab in Wuhan. Then-US president Donald Trump and his supporters seized on those rumours and amplified them with conspiracy theories that China deliberately leaked the virus. Chinese state broadcaster CGTN said Wednesday the WHO team would "visit the national biosafety laboratory and exchange ideas with experts of the institute on their daily work, international scientific cooperation, anti-epidemic efforts and contribution". The independent team has already visited key hospitals, the regional disease control centre and the city's Huanan seafood market, where the first cluster of infections was believed to have originated late in 2019. Earlier, 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. 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. The centre in the province of Hubei, which fights epidemic diseases in animals, could provide information on how a coronavirus endemic in horseshoe bats in southwest China might have crossed into humans, possibly via an intermediary species. Studies suggest the virus could have been transferred from mink or pangolins, but there has also been speculation that traders dealing in bat products could have carried the disease for months before it began to spread in Wuhan.

World Health Organization team visits China virus lab in Wuhan

Experts from the World Health Organisation visited a Wuhan hospital Friday as the fieldwork began in a closely watched coronavirus origins probe that will take in a food market presumed to be "ground zero" of the pandemic.

The WHO investigation has been hobbled by delays, and there are fears over access and the strength of evidence a year after the virus emerged in the central Chinese city.

The team met Chinese officials Friday and then left their Wuhan hotel in a fleet of cars, trailed by a media pack reflecting the intense global scrutiny on a visit whose aim is to establish how the virus was transferred from animals to humans.

The Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western&nbsp;Medicine -- where some of the earliest Covid-19 patients were admitted -- is among the field visits.

The WHO said the team will later head to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Huanan market, and the Wuhan CDC laboratory, three sites now indelibly linked with the pandemic.

Details of the trip are being relayed via Twitter rather than Chinese authorities. Team member Peter Daszak described the first site visit as "extremely important".

The Huanan market -- which remains boarded up -- is believed to have been the first major cluster of infections, while former US president Donald Trump had pushed an unsubstantiated theory that the virus escaped from a testing facility at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The mission's exact itinerary remains unclear.

The WHO insists the probe will be tethered tightly to the science behind how the virus jumped to humans.

Beijing is desperate to take the air out of the blame game and instead train attention on its handling and recovery from the outbreak.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Friday flagged the visit as "a part of global research" into the pandemic.

China has pushed the idea that the virus existed abroad before it was discovered in Wuhan, with state media citing the presence of the virus on imported frozen food packaging and scientific papers saying it had been circulating in Europe in 2019.

China's foreign ministry has also hinted that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort Detrick in Maryland in July 2019 was linked to the pandemic.

China's National Health Commission says 4,636 people have died in the country as a result of the virus. The nation's GDP grew 2.3 percent in 2020, the only major economy to do so.

In comparison, more than 400,000 Americans have died so far as the sickness rips through its population and economy, while Britain recorded its 100,000th fatality this week.

Experts from the World Health Organisation visited a Wuhan hospital Friday as the fieldwork began in a closely watched coronavirus origins probe that will take in a food market presumed to be "ground zero" of the pandemic.

Experts from the World Health Organisation visited a Wuhan hospital Friday as the fieldwork began in a closely watched coronavirus origins probe that will take in a food market presumed to be "ground zero" of the pandemic. The WHO investigation has been hobbled by delays, and there are fears over access and the strength of evidence a year after the virus emerged in the central Chinese city. The team met Chinese officials Friday and then left their Wuhan hotel in a fleet of cars, trailed by a media pack reflecting the intense global scrutiny on a visit whose aim is to establish how the virus was transferred from animals to humans. The Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine -- where some of the earliest Covid-19 patients were admitted -- is among the field visits. The WHO said the team will later head to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Huanan market, and the Wuhan CDC laboratory, three sites now indelibly linked with the pandemic. Details of the trip are being relayed via Twitter rather than Chinese authorities. Team member Peter Daszak described the first site visit as "extremely important". The Huanan market -- which remains boarded up -- is believed to have been the first major cluster of infections, while former US president Donald Trump had pushed an unsubstantiated theory that the virus escaped from a testing facility at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The mission's exact itinerary remains unclear. The WHO insists the probe will be tethered tightly to the science behind how the virus jumped to humans. Beijing is desperate to take the air out of the blame game and instead train attention on its handling and recovery from the outbreak. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Friday flagged the visit as "a part of global research" into the pandemic. China has pushed the idea that the virus existed abroad before it was discovered in Wuhan, with state media citing the presence of the virus on imported frozen food packaging and scientific papers saying it had been circulating in Europe in 2019. China's foreign ministry has also hinted that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort Detrick in Maryland in July 2019 was linked to the pandemic. China's National Health Commission says 4,636 people have died in the country as a result of the virus. The nation's GDP grew 2.3 percent in 2020, the only major economy to do so. In comparison, more than 400,000 Americans have died so far as the sickness rips through its population and economy, while Britain recorded its 100,000th fatality this week.

WHO coronavirus probe begins with fieldwork in ground-zero Wuhan

After China pushed conspiracy theories on the origin of the virus, The US has demanded a 'robust and clear' probe from the WHO team in Wuhan. The Biden government has said it will work with allies to evaluate the 'credibility' of the WHO report.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus: United States demands 'robust and clear' probe into origins

Throughout January 2020, WHO kept praising China's response publicly. But, audio recordings of internal WHO meetings show how senior officials were complaining about not getting enough information from China. WION's Molly Gambhir brings you the revelations.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus Pandemic: Leaked audio featuring WHO officials reveal China's lapses

The world has now recorded more than 100 million Wuhan virus cases. Countries around the world are struggling with new variants and vaccine shortages. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus pandemic: European Countries mandate medical-grade masks

Relatives of the victims in Wuhan are demanding a meeting with the WHO investigators. They say Chinese authorities have deleted a WeChat group they were using to build support and hold officials accountable for the pandemic. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Wuhan: Families of victims demand a meeting with the WHO team

China failed to export vaccines to the world, so it is now exporting a smear campaign. Beijing is targeting Pfizer, Moderna vaccines. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you how.

Gravitas: China starts a smear campaign

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

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet.

At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation.

"Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-denied-who-officials-initial-coronavirus-data-last-year-359746">WHO</a> experts," Zhang Hai said.

For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state.

In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened.

Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims.

"If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," &nbsp;Zhang added.

The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed.

Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent.

"I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said.

As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic.

WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them. Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet. At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation. "Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the WHO experts," Zhang Hai said. For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state. In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened. Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims. "If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," Zhang added. The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed. Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent. "I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said. As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic. WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

Relatives of Wuhan virus victims demand meeting with WHO officials

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns.

In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world. A year after the pandemic started, WHO investigators in Wuhan have finally started piecing together what happened as fresh revelations have now emerged.

There is more proof of what happened in those early months and how China didn't release critical information including how the World Health Organisation struggled to get the data they needed despite all that, the WHO publicly kept praising China.

Audio recordings from within the offices of the World Health Organisation show&nbsp;top officials of the world health body were discussing and complaining about China's attitude.&nbsp;The first set of voices is from the second week of January.

First is Dr Michael Ryan who serves as the executive director of the WHO. &nbsp;Ryan often shares the dais with the WHO director-general Dr Tedros during the press briefings of the world health body.

In the clip, Dr Ryan while speaking to his colleagues asks them to shift gears and apply more pressure on China.

"We do need to shift gears now cause we've all been - some of us have been here before. This is exactly the same scenario, endlessly trying to get updates from China about what was going on in Guangdong and then bang. WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency in southern China," Dr Michael Ryan, WHO executive director, emergencies, says.

"WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency",&nbsp;Dr Ryan is heard referring to the 2002 SARS outbreak which was another major disease outbreak where China was accused of covering up.

There is more. In the next clip, Dr Ryan can be heard complaining about the lack of data from China.

"General, 'there's been no evidence of human-to-human transmission' is not good enough. This would not happen in Congo and did not happen in Congo and other places. We need to see the data, we need to be able to determine for ourselves the geographic distribution, the timeline, the epicurve and all of that. It's absolutely important at this point and not so that we have all the data as an organization, so we can protect China."

"so that we can protect China," says the executive director for emergencies of the WHO. Dr Ryan wanted the WHO to conduct its own independent analysis since he felt that was the "best way" to "protect China" from possible action by other countries.

Dr Ryan believed Congo was more forthcoming about the Ebola outbreak in 2018 than China for the Wuhan virus. Clearly, &nbsp;he wasn't happy about how Beijing was behaving.

In the next audio clip Dr Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead is heard speaking about the lack of data from China...

"We're going on very minimal information, knowing a little bit about ventilation and ICU and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of life support) and deaths is helpful but I know it's clearly not enough for you to do proper planning in the way that you would like to," Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead, COVID-19, says.

Perhaps, the most revealing audio clip is of the WHO official on the ground Dr Gauden Galea was the WHO representative in China at that time when the first cases were being reported and he said China wasn't sharing any specifics.

"We have informally and formally been requesting more epidemiological information, specifically, what was the date of onset of the last case and even that one line of information would have been, already been helpful, but all we are getting in return for that question is, there's a new update that's going to come out, they're working on this, it may be – but then when asked for specifics, we could get nothing," &nbsp;Galea said.

In another clip, Dr Galea says that they were getting information just 15 mins before it appeared on CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster. The WHO officials were just getting an advance press release to deal with the Wuhan virus outbreak.

A couple of weeks later, on January 14 &nbsp;the WHO had put out the infamous tweet claiming there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, however, &nbsp;by the end of January, the WHO realised it wasn't the case.

"What happens next, as far as our counterparts are concerned, they are now talking openly and consistently about human-to-human (transmission), we did not (inaudible) debate as to whether this is sustained, but their one key request in this regard is that they would like WHO's help in communicating this to the public, without causing panic," &nbsp;Dr Gauden Galea said

All through this, the WHO officials kept praising China in public, director-general Dr Tedros lauded the response of the Chinese authorities and Xi Jinping himself while behind the scenes the senior-most officials of this health body kept complaining how China wasn't sharing the information they needed.

There is more proof of China's criminal negligence. A doctor in Wuhan has now spoken out. He was working in a hospital hit hardest by the Wuhan virus. He claims that the doctors suspected the virus was highly transmissible way back in early January but the Chinese authorities stopped them from warning anyone.

In just one year, the virus has made its way to more than 190 countries and regions infecting over 100 million people and killing over 2 million. These revelations are just a reminder of the sins committed by China.

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns. In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world.

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns. In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world. A year after the pandemic started, WHO investigators in Wuhan have finally started piecing together what happened as fresh revelations have now emerged. There is more proof of what happened in those early months and how China didn't release critical information including how the World Health Organisation struggled to get the data they needed despite all that, the WHO publicly kept praising China. Audio recordings from within the offices of the World Health Organisation show top officials of the world health body were discussing and complaining about China's attitude. The first set of voices is from the second week of January. First is Dr Michael Ryan who serves as the executive director of the WHO. Ryan often shares the dais with the WHO director-general Dr Tedros during the press briefings of the world health body. In the clip, Dr Ryan while speaking to his colleagues asks them to shift gears and apply more pressure on China. "We do need to shift gears now cause we've all been - some of us have been here before. This is exactly the same scenario, endlessly trying to get updates from China about what was going on in Guangdong and then bang. WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency in southern China," Dr Michael Ryan, WHO executive director, emergencies, says. "WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency", Dr Ryan is heard referring to the 2002 SARS outbreak which was another major disease outbreak where China was accused of covering up. There is more. In the next clip, Dr Ryan can be heard complaining about the lack of data from China. "General, 'there's been no evidence of human-to-human transmission' is not good enough. This would not happen in Congo and did not happen in Congo and other places. We need to see the data, we need to be able to determine for ourselves the geographic distribution, the timeline, the epicurve and all of that. It's absolutely important at this point and not so that we have all the data as an organization, so we can protect China." "so that we can protect China," says the executive director for emergencies of the WHO. Dr Ryan wanted the WHO to conduct its own independent analysis since he felt that was the "best way" to "protect China" from possible action by other countries. Dr Ryan believed Congo was more forthcoming about the Ebola outbreak in 2018 than China for the Wuhan virus. Clearly, he wasn't happy about how Beijing was behaving. In the next audio clip Dr Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead is heard speaking about the lack of data from China... "We're going on very minimal information, knowing a little bit about ventilation and ICU and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of life support) and deaths is helpful but I know it's clearly not enough for you to do proper planning in the way that you would like to," Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead, COVID-19, says. Perhaps, the most revealing audio clip is of the WHO official on the ground Dr Gauden Galea was the WHO representative in China at that time when the first cases were being reported and he said China wasn't sharing any specifics. "We have informally and formally been requesting more epidemiological information, specifically, what was the date of onset of the last case and even that one line of information would have been, already been helpful, but all we are getting in return for that question is, there's a new update that's going to come out, they're working on this, it may be – but then when asked for specifics, we could get nothing," Galea said. In another clip, Dr Galea says that they were getting information just 15 mins before it appeared on CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster. The WHO officials were just getting an advance press release to deal with the Wuhan virus outbreak. A couple of weeks later, on January 14 the WHO had put out the infamous tweet claiming there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, however, by the end of January, the WHO realised it wasn't the case. "What happens next, as far as our counterparts are concerned, they are now talking openly and consistently about human-to-human (transmission), we did not (inaudible) debate as to whether this is sustained, but their one key request in this regard is that they would like WHO's help in communicating this to the public, without causing panic," Dr Gauden Galea said All through this, the WHO officials kept praising China in public, director-general Dr Tedros lauded the response of the Chinese authorities and Xi Jinping himself while behind the scenes the senior-most officials of this health body kept complaining how China wasn't sharing the information they needed. There is more proof of China's criminal negligence. A doctor in Wuhan has now spoken out. He was working in a hospital hit hardest by the Wuhan virus. He claims that the doctors suspected the virus was highly transmissible way back in early January but the Chinese authorities stopped them from warning anyone. In just one year, the virus has made its way to more than 190 countries and regions infecting over 100 million people and killing over 2 million. These revelations are just a reminder of the sins committed by China.

How China denied WHO officials initial coronavirus data last year

The United Nations has called Sri Lanka's enforced cremations a violation of Human Rights. Since March 2020, Colombo has forced Muslims to cremate their loved ones lost to the Wuhan Virus. WION's Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka accused of Human Rights violation

China is spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories to challenge the real story of the origins of the Wuhan Virus. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you how Beijing has ramped up its disinformation efforts.

Gravitas: Inside China's campaign to change the origins of the Wuhan virus

Coronavirus wrecks havoc around the world, many things are still continued to be pointed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) along with the Chinese authorities, for failing to act promptly during the initial days of the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

China & WHO, both unsuccessful in taking prompt action against COVID-19 pandemic

After two border provocations in seven months both in the middle of the Wuhan virus pandemic, China has tried to play the distraction game.

On June 15, the world was distracted by the Wuhan virus pandemic, however, China tried to capitalise on the crisis. It clashed with Indian troops with the hope of grabbing some land.

Now, seven months later, on January 20, China has tried to play the same trick again. This time it clashed with Indian troops at Naku la to distract the world from the crisis back home.

China wants to change the headlines. On January 14, China had recorded its first Wuhan virus death since May. The healthcare situation has gone downhill since with 1,800 active cases in China. There has been a spike in daily cases. On January 24, China recorded 124 new cases, just the day before it was 80.

It was the worst wave of new infections since March 2020. China currently has at least 19 million people under lockdown as infections have spread to the provinces of Hebei, Jilin and Hei long Jiang. The latest outbreak is in the cty of Tonghua with 500,000 residents in home quarantine.

The situation is so bad that even Chinese mouthpiece the Global Times is having a hard time covering up.

"Under pressure from the online public outcry, deputy mayor Jiang Haiyan issued an apology on behalf of the city's party committee and the government of Tonghua at a Sunday press conference for the inconvenience caused by inadequate distribution of daily necessities for residents," it said.

The lockdown has resulted in food and medicine. There has been mounting anxiety and anger against the Chinese Communist Party. Authorities in Tonghua had to put out a circular stating that it has "sufficient reserves of basic materials such as grains, oils, vegetables".

It said: "the general public must maintain a good attitude, fight the nationwide fight against the epidemic". China does not want anyone to know about rising frustration with the CCP at home so it is decided to create problems at LAC.

Beijing tried to kill two birds with one stone by creating tensions at the Indian border.&nbsp;China hoped to also mask the headlines in India on India's vaccine diplomacy. While China has been orchestrating the world's biggest cover-up, India has been driving the world's largest vaccination programme.

India has also gifted vaccines to seven countries. At least two others have received commercial shipments and 92 countries have reportedly approached India for Wuhan virus jabs from Brazil to Bangladesh- countries are heaping praise on India.

These are the same countries that China hoped to sell its vaccines. Beijing wanted to capitalise on the crisis, however, that dream has now been killed by India's vaccine diplomacy. China is now issuing consolation notes. China's foreign ministry said there should not be vicious competition or confrontation when it comes to vaccine supply.

"There are currently multiple COVID-19 vaccines available worldwide. It is up to each country to decide independently which vaccine to choose," &nbsp;Zhao Lijian, Chinese ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, said.

From vaccines to investment, countries do not want anything to do with China. In 2020, India's FDI increased more than China's - 13 per cent as opposed to China's 4 per cent - these numbers must have been frustrating for China.

FDI in India rose by 13 per cent boosted by investment in the digital sector and a border clash was the perfect way to take attention away from India's successes.

Distraction is the Dragon's favourite tool. In 2020, China used the pandemic as a distraction to pursue its long-term foreign policy. It claimed sovereignty over disputed islands in the South China Sea and intimidated Taiwan. It quashed freedom in Hong Kong and tried taking advantage of an undefined border with India.

In 2021, China is using distraction again to hide an outbreak at home, the only difference is this time the world knows better!

After two border provocations in seven months both in the middle of the Wuhan virus pandemic, China has tried to play the distraction game. On June 15, the world was distracted by the Wuhan virus pandemic, however, China tried to capitalise on the crisis.

After two border provocations in seven months both in the middle of the Wuhan virus pandemic, China has tried to play the distraction game. On June 15, the world was distracted by the Wuhan virus pandemic, however, China tried to capitalise on the crisis. It clashed with Indian troops with the hope of grabbing some land. Now, seven months later, on January 20, China has tried to play the same trick again. This time it clashed with Indian troops at Naku la to distract the world from the crisis back home. China wants to change the headlines. On January 14, China had recorded its first Wuhan virus death since May. The healthcare situation has gone downhill since with 1,800 active cases in China. There has been a spike in daily cases. On January 24, China recorded 124 new cases, just the day before it was 80. It was the worst wave of new infections since March 2020. China currently has at least 19 million people under lockdown as infections have spread to the provinces of Hebei, Jilin and Hei long Jiang. The latest outbreak is in the cty of Tonghua with 500,000 residents in home quarantine. The situation is so bad that even Chinese mouthpiece the Global Times is having a hard time covering up. "Under pressure from the online public outcry, deputy mayor Jiang Haiyan issued an apology on behalf of the city's party committee and the government of Tonghua at a Sunday press conference for the inconvenience caused by inadequate distribution of daily necessities for residents," it said. The lockdown has resulted in food and medicine. There has been mounting anxiety and anger against the Chinese Communist Party. Authorities in Tonghua had to put out a circular stating that it has "sufficient reserves of basic materials such as grains, oils, vegetables". It said: "the general public must maintain a good attitude, fight the nationwide fight against the epidemic". China does not want anyone to know about rising frustration with the CCP at home so it is decided to create problems at LAC. Beijing tried to kill two birds with one stone by creating tensions at the Indian border. China hoped to also mask the headlines in India on India's vaccine diplomacy. While China has been orchestrating the world's biggest cover-up, India has been driving the world's largest vaccination programme. India has also gifted vaccines to seven countries. At least two others have received commercial shipments and 92 countries have reportedly approached India for Wuhan virus jabs from Brazil to Bangladesh- countries are heaping praise on India. These are the same countries that China hoped to sell its vaccines. Beijing wanted to capitalise on the crisis, however, that dream has now been killed by India's vaccine diplomacy. China is now issuing consolation notes. China's foreign ministry said there should not be vicious competition or confrontation when it comes to vaccine supply. "There are currently multiple COVID-19 vaccines available worldwide. It is up to each country to decide independently which vaccine to choose," Zhao Lijian, Chinese ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, said. From vaccines to investment, countries do not want anything to do with China. In 2020, India's FDI increased more than China's - 13 per cent as opposed to China's 4 per cent - these numbers must have been frustrating for China. FDI in India rose by 13 per cent boosted by investment in the digital sector and a border clash was the perfect way to take attention away from India's successes. Distraction is the Dragon's favourite tool. In 2020, China used the pandemic as a distraction to pursue its long-term foreign policy. It claimed sovereignty over disputed islands in the South China Sea and intimidated Taiwan. It quashed freedom in Hong Kong and tried taking advantage of an undefined border with India. In 2021, China is using distraction again to hide an outbreak at home, the only difference is this time the world knows better!

How China is playing the distraction game at LAC to hide Wuhan virus weakness at home

China has started mass testing across the capital city to snuff out the COVID-19 clusters. China aims to test 2 million people in 48-hours.

China rushes to snuff out COVID-19 clusters

Silence descended on Chinese city Wuhan on January 23 last year, exactly one year back. Wuhan shocked the world by confining its 11 million anxious citizens to their homes, beginning a traumatic 76-day lockdown.WION brings you a report. Wuhan marked one year since it announced a severe lockdown.

Wuhan marked one year since it announced a severe lockdown

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-over-100-coronavirus-cases-for-seventh-consecutive-day-357618">Beijing</a> residents have been banned from leaving the capital after the UK virus strain was found in the city.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-most-severe-outbreak-ahead-of-the-lunar-new-year-357974/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Two cases linked to the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-coronavirus-strain-detected-in-at-least-60-countries-who-357907">UK strain</a> was detected in Bejing's Daxing district. The UK strain is believed to be 70 per cent more transferable than the earlier version.

Residents in Daxing area have been barred from leaving Beijing unless they get special permission from authorities and get a negative test result.

The local Daxing government said meetings of 50 or more people in the area has been banned with weddings postponed and funerals simplified. Schools have also been shut with students asked to study from home.

China has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases, especially in the past week in the country's northeastern. China reported 103 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including seven from Beijing with neighbouring Hebei province recording new cases. It is the worst outbreak recorded in the country since March last year.

Amid a surge in virus cases, Chinese authorities are planning to impose strict COVID-19 testing requirements during the Lunar New Year holiday season when millions of citizens travel across the country.

Authorities have appealed people to stay home during the holiday season.

Meanwhile, authorities in Shanghai began evacuating a neighbourhood near a riverfront after officials discovered at least three new coronavirus cases on Thursday as city officials ramped up testing in an attempt to combat the virus.

Beijing residents have been banned from leaving the capital after the UK virus strain was found in the city. Watch: Two cases linked to the new UK strain was detected in Bejing's Daxing district.

Beijing residents have been banned from leaving the capital after the UK virus strain was found in the city. Watch: Two cases linked to the new UK strain was detected in Bejing's Daxing district. The UK strain is believed to be 70 per cent more transferable than the earlier version. Residents in Daxing area have been barred from leaving Beijing unless they get special permission from authorities and get a negative test result. The local Daxing government said meetings of 50 or more people in the area has been banned with weddings postponed and funerals simplified. Schools have also been shut with students asked to study from home. China has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases, especially in the past week in the country's northeastern. China reported 103 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including seven from Beijing with neighbouring Hebei province recording new cases. It is the worst outbreak recorded in the country since March last year. Amid a surge in virus cases, Chinese authorities are planning to impose strict COVID-19 testing requirements during the Lunar New Year holiday season when millions of citizens travel across the country. Authorities have appealed people to stay home during the holiday season. Meanwhile, authorities in Shanghai began evacuating a neighbourhood near a riverfront after officials discovered at least three new coronavirus cases on Thursday as city officials ramped up testing in an attempt to combat the virus.

China to test Lunar New Year travellers amid partial lockdown in Beijing

China's latest Wuhan Virus outbreak keeps getting bigger. Multiple hotspots are now conducting a second round of mass testing. China is building six hospitals in Hebei- a province where a testing lab was caught falsifying reports. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how China is struggling to figure out the extent of its latest outbreak.

Gravitas: Is China botching up another outbreak?

We say 'UK Strain', 'Brazil Variant', 'South Africa Variant' - why then do we not say 'Wuhan Virus'? Most pandemics and epidemics have been named after its epicentre. Why should the Wuhan Virus be an exception? WION's Palki Sharma makes a case.

Gravitas: How the W.H.O. is shielding China

In Jan 2020, China reported a virus outbreak in Hubei. In January 2021, it has reported an outbreak in Hebei. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how China is witnessing a scary rewind of 2020 but has learnt no lessons.

Gravitas: China witnesses a 'scary rewind' of 2020

China is recording its worst outbreak since March 2020 ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Mainland China has recorded 103 new Coronavirus infections while most of the new cases are near the capital.

China's most severe outbreak ahead of the Lunar New Year

The United States wants WHO investigators to look at the records of the Wuhan Lab. It believes that several researchers inside the lab became sick in the autumn of 2019 - before the 1st case of the Wuhan virus. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Why is China blocking access to the Wuhan Lab?

Amid claims by Chian that it has brought the Coronavirus under control and have achieved victory over the virus, mainland China has in the past week seen the number of daily cases jump to an over 10 months high and the country continues to battle a surge in local infections.

China continues to battle a surge in local infections

12 months after the Wuhan Virus outbreak, WHO has launched a 'virtual' probe into its origins. W.H.O delegation in Wuhan is conducting virtual meetings as part of the probe.

Gravitas: A cruel joke in Wuhan virus fight

As&nbsp;World Health Organization(WHO)&nbsp;experts arrived in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-province-declares-emergency-to-control-coronavirus-356360">China</a> on Thursday, the country reported first death due to coronavirus in eight months as the country continues to battle the virus.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinas-wuhan-virus-outbreak-china-places-more-than-22-million-citizens-under-lockdown-356526/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The death occurred in China's Hebei province where several places have been put on lockdown amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. No deaths have been reported in mainland<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-covid-vaccine-sinovac-throws-up-four-different-efficacy-rates-356427"> China</a> since May last year with the official coronavirus death toll at 4,635.

China had reported its first virus death on January 11 last year after reporting the first case to the WHO on December 31, 2019. A 61-year-old man had succumbed to the virus who was a regular at Wuhan's wet market.

Hebei's capital city Shijiazhuang has become the new epicentre of the virus with authorities closing down schools, transport and shops in an attempt to combat the virus.

Xingtai town has been under lockdown since last week along with Langfang city. China's northeastern Heilongjiang province had declared "emergency" clamping down on travel.

At least 20 million people are under some form of lockdown in China's northern provinces.

Meanwhile, the WHO team of experts arrived in Beijing today to investigate the origins of the virus. China had earlier denied visas to the experts but later relented to give access to the scientists.

The virus has spread to almost all parts of the world ever since China first reported the first case to the WHO in December 2019. There are over 92 million infected cases worldwide with over 1.976 million fatalities recorded so far across the world.

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts arrived in China on Thursday, the country reported first death due to coronavirus in eight months as the country continues to battle the virus.

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts arrived in China on Thursday, the country reported first death due to coronavirus in eight months as the country continues to battle the virus. Watch: The death occurred in China's Hebei province where several places have been put on lockdown amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. No deaths have been reported in mainland China since May last year with the official coronavirus death toll at 4,635. China had reported its first virus death on January 11 last year after reporting the first case to the WHO on December 31, 2019. A 61-year-old man had succumbed to the virus who was a regular at Wuhan's wet market. Hebei's capital city Shijiazhuang has become the new epicentre of the virus with authorities closing down schools, transport and shops in an attempt to combat the virus. Xingtai town has been under lockdown since last week along with Langfang city. China's northeastern Heilongjiang province had declared "emergency" clamping down on travel. At least 20 million people are under some form of lockdown in China's northern provinces. Meanwhile, the WHO team of experts arrived in Beijing today to investigate the origins of the virus. China had earlier denied visas to the experts but later relented to give access to the scientists. The virus has spread to almost all parts of the world ever since China first reported the first case to the WHO in December 2019. There are over 92 million infected cases worldwide with over 1.976 million fatalities recorded so far across the world.

China reports first coronavirus death in eight months as WHO team arrives

The World Health Organization experts have arrived in Wuhan to initiate investigations into COVID-19 origin. This visit is a significant one because it comes amidst the sudden resurgence of the infections.

W.H.O team finally arrives in Wuhan to begin the COVID-19 origin probe

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 

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