A research team of scientists from the World Health Organization visited the Chinese laboratory on Wednesday that could be the cause of the coronavirus pandemic, according to US officials.
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 discovered in late 2019.
While they were secretive about their work there, the team confirmed that they were meeting Shi Zhengli, the lab’s assistant director named “Bat Woman” for her work with bat viruses, and one of the first to isolate the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. .
“Extremely important meeting today with WIV staff, including Dr. Shi Zhengli. Frank, open discussion. Asked and answered important questions, ”WHO team member Peter Daszak said on Twitter.
“Very interesting. Lots of questions,” shouted Thea Fischer, a Danish member of the team, from her car as it drove away from the lab.
The Wuhan lab’s lengthy work on bat viruses quickly brought it into the spotlight when COVID-19 first surfaced in its neighborhood in late 2019, leaving the city of 11 million people under a strict lockout for 76 days.
President Trump and his administration have repeatedly alerted the institution to concerns that the virus may have emerged from a “lab leak”.
Just last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said new intelligence had only fueled suspicions, with the State Department producing a ‘fact sheet’ detailing allegations – one that now appears to be offline.
Both the lab and the Chinese government have repeatedly denied the claims, with an official recently denouncing Pompeo as “Mr. Lies.”
The WHO team also spoke with experts at Huazhong Agricultural University on Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.
“It should be noted that virus traceability is a complex scientific issue, and we need to provide sufficient space for experts to conduct scientific research,” Wang said.
“China will continue to work with the WHO in an open, transparent and accountable manner, helping to better prevent future risks and protect the lives and health of people in all countries.”
With pole wires