WHO mission finds no answers in Covid-19 probe

Wuhan | AFP

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A joint WHO and China team probing the origins of Covid-19 wrapped up Tuesday without providing any insights into the origins of the pandemic, as one of the Middle East's worst-hit nations began a vaccination campaign.

Transmission from animals was likely, said Liang Wannian, head of the Chinese contingent, but the host of the virus, which has claimed more than 2.3 million lives and gutted the global economy "remain to be identified."

The WHO mission -- which Beijing repeatedly delayed -- was dogged by fears of a whitewash, with the US demanding a "robust" probe and China firing back with a warning not to "politicise" the investigation.

During the closely-monitored visit -- which included a visit to a propaganda exhibition celebrating China's recovery -- reporters were largely kept at arms' length from the experts.

Liang, supported by WHO foreign expert Ben Embarek, said there was "no indication" the sickness was circulating in Wuhan before December 2019 when the first official cases were recorded.

Embarek also scotched controversial theories the virus had leaked from a lab, calling it "extremely unlikely".

As the global tally of infections passed 106 million, Britain was expected to become the latest country Tuesday to announce mandatory coronavirus tests in quarantine for all arrivals.