WHO team leaves quarantine in search for virus origins in Wuhan

A World Health Organization (WHO) team has left its two-week quarantine in Wuhan, China, to begin its examination of the origins of the coronavirus.

The researchers were seen leaving their hotel following their 14-day isolation, set to embark on their investigation, which will try to establish a timeline on how the coronavirus jumped from animals to humans and how it subsequently spread throughout the globe.

However, it remains to be seen what kind of restrictions the Chinese government will impose on the researchers or if they will extend their investigation beyond Wuhan. Among the places they likely would like to visit is the Huanan Seafood Market, to which many of the first COVID-19 cases have been traced.

“In the coming days in China, while observing China’s COVID-19 prevention procedures, they will continue carrying out exchanges and cooperation on origin-tracing, including having discussions and field trips. All their activities will need to be science-based with the utmost priority of preventing future risks and protecting people’s safety and health,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters Thursday. “As for the places they will visit and their detailed work agenda, I’d refer you to the competent authorities.”

The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill regarding the team’s investigation.

The WHO’s presence in China has already been embroiled in international politics, with the body facing criticism for not taking a tough enough stance against what critics said was disinformation stemming from Beijing in the early days of the pandemic, and China voicing early opposition to an independent investigation into the virus’s origins.

Some Chinese outlets have even gone so far as to question whether the virus even originated in Wuhan, which is broadly accepted globally. 

In what was viewed as an effort by Beijing to assert some control over the WHO investigation, China earlier this month barred entry for two members of the team after they tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday said she was concerned about “misinformation” stemming from China over the coronavirus but voiced support for the WHO mission there. 

“It’s imperative that we get to the bottom of the early days of the pandemic in China,” she said.