A research team from World Health Organization scientists visited the Chinese laboratory on Wednesday, which US officials suggested could be the source of the coronavirus pandemic.
The WHO team spent about 3-1 / 2 hours at the heavily guarded Wuhan Institute of Virology in the city where the global pandemic was first detected in late 2019.
While keeping a secret about their work there, the team confirmed that they had met Shi Zhengli, the deputy director of the laboratory dubbed “The Bat Woman” for her work with bat viruses and one of the first to isolate the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
“An extremely important meeting today with WIV staff, including Dr. Shi Zhengli. Frank, open discussion. Key questions asked and answered, “WHO team member Peter Daszak he said on Twitter.
“Very interesting. Lots of questions,” Thea Fischer, a Danish team member, called from the car as she walked away from the lab.
The long-term work of the Wuhan Bat Laboratory quickly put it in the spotlight when COVID-19 first appeared in its neighborhood in late 2019, leading to the city of 11 million under a strict blockade of 76 million. days.
President Trump and his administration have repeatedly stressed to the institution about the problems with the virus that emerged from a “laboratory leak.”
Just last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the new information only raised suspicions, with the State Department making a “fact sheet” detailing the claims – one that now appears to be offline.
The lab as well as the Chinese government have repeatedly denied the allegations, with a recent official dismissing Pompeo as “Mr. Lies. ”
The WHO team also spoke with experts at Huazhong Agricultural University on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.
“It should be noted that the traceability of the virus is a complex scientific issue and we need to provide enough space for experts to conduct scientific research,” Wang said.
“China will continue to cooperate with WHO in an open, transparent and accountable manner and will contribute to better prevent future risks and protect the lives and health of people in all countries.”
With Post threads