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| A general view shows the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market, where the first cluster of cases of COVID-19 emerged, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, Jan 15, 2021. (Photo by=REUTERS/Thomas Peter) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A World Health Organization-led team investigating the origins of COVID-19 is to begin virtual meetings with their Chinese hosts from a hotel in China's Wuhan, where the pandemic first emerged, on Friday (Jan 15).
Their arrival at the city in central China on Thursday was disrupted by the absence of two members who failed coronavirus antibody tests in Singapore. One of the missing members has since passed a test and their travel to China is being arranged, according to China's foreign ministry. "Team now undergoing the mandatory 14 days quarantine & being treated very well by our hosts. Work begins today, day 1, in teleconf. mtgs w/ China team," tweeted team member Peter Daszak, a zoologist.
The driveway and parking lot of the boutique hotel where the team is staying was cordoned off with tape on Friday and security personnel stood guard at the entrance. Dominic Dwyer, an Australian virologist on the team, said he and the other scientists were trying to keep the politics surrounding the trip aside. The team isn’t allowed to mingle while in quarantine, so will be holding all meetings virtually. The team of 15 had all tested negative for the disease prior to leaving their home countries and underwent further testing while in transit in Singapore.
