China rejects second phase WHO investigation of coronavirus origin

China has rejected the terms that the WHO has proposed to investigate the Coronavirus origin. WHO head Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on China to be more cooperative about the outbreak of pandemics. It also includes the audits of the laboratories.

Zeng Yixin, the deputy health minister, has said that it has shown disrespect for common sense. Also, it is arrogance towards science. He said that the plan had been politicized, and China could not accept it.

WHO got the chance to send a team of experts to Wuhan. Wuhan is the city where the virus first got detected in December 2019 and it was considered as the coronavirus origin in January. Their investigator came up with the conclusion that it was unlikely that the virus escaped from the laboratory. However, the theory has managed to persist.

Earlier this month, Dr. Tedros has outlined the terms for the proposal of the second phase for the WHO investigation. It includes audits for the science research institutions in the areas.

He urged Beijing to “be transparent, to be open and co-operate” along with the investigators. Also, he has urged to provide raw patient data that has not been shared during the initial probe.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Zeng said the proposal of WHO extremely surprised him. It is focusing on the alleged violation of the laboratory protocols of China.

He said that China couldn’t accept the terms. The country has submitted its origins-tracing recommendations.

Mr. Zeng said, “We hope the WHO would seriously review the considerations and suggestions made by Chinese experts and truly treat the origin tracing of the Covid-19 virus as a scientific matter, and get rid of political interference.”

Yuan Zhiming, the director of the National Biosafety Laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was also present. He said the virus has its natural origin, and they have maintained no virus leak or staff infections.

More than four million people have died globally since the start of the pandemic. WHO is facing growing international pressure to investigate further the origin of the virus. Earlier this year, Joe Biden also ordered an investigation on this matter.

Credits: BBC