China Blocks WHO Team Sent To Investigate Coronavirus Origins

• In a press briefing, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization said that China has blocked a team of scientists sent to probe the origins of the coronavirus in Wuhan.
• According to Ghebreyesus, China has previously agreed to the mission and so he’s “very disappointed” about what happened because the mission is “a priority for WHO and the international team.”

The World Health Organization has recently confirmed that China blocked a team they sent to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to WHO, two scientists from the United Nations were already headed to Wuhan when they were informed that Chinese officials have actually refused their entry to the country.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted that he’s “very disappointed” about what happened.

In a Geneva news conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:

“I am very disappointed with this news , given that two members have already begun their journeys, and others were not able to travel at the last minute.

“I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials and I have once again made clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team.”

According to Ghebreyesus, China has previously given approval for the probe and so it’s surprising that the researchers were denied entry.

Dr. Michael Ryan executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program said he hopes it’s nothing more than “just a logistical and bureaucratic issue.”

“We trust that in good faith, we can solve these issues in the coming hours and recommence the deployment of the team as urgently as possible,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying defended:

“Tracing the source [of the virus] is a complicated issue. To ensure that the international team’s work progresses smoothly, they must go through the necessary procedures.”

Watch the video here: