India pushes for more studies on origins of COVID-19
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India on May 28 pushed for additional studies into the origins of the COVID-19 virus, because the World Health Organisation’s decision-making physique, the World Health Assembly, reviewed the findings of its particular group.
The 120-page report that was submitted by the WHO on March 31 had listed numerous hypotheses as doable origins, together with the “lab leak” principle that it mentioned was “extremely unlikely”, however concluded that there was want for additional analysis.
Several international locations on the Assembly’s ongoing annual assembly from May 24-June 1 have raised the necessity for additional studies, however it’s unclear whether or not the physique will cross any decision on the difficulty.
“The WHO-convened global study on the origins of COVID-19 is an important first step. It stressed the need for the next phase of studies, as also for further data and studies, to reach robust conclusions,” mentioned Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
“The follow-up of the WHO report and further studies deserve the understanding and cooperation of all,” Mr. Bagchi added, in reference to WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus’s earlier assertion that accused China of limiting entry to its group to conduct studies.
Speaking on the launch of the report, Mr. Ghebreyesus had mentioned that he anticipated “future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing”.
MEA assertion
On April 1, the MEA had additionally issued a prolonged assertion on the report, that had listed “four pathways” or doable choices that led to the pandemic: together with a direct zoonotic transmission; the introduction of the virus by way of one other intermediate host or animal; introduction by way of the chilly chain or meals chain; and a laboratory incident.
The inquiry performed over 4 weeks by a joint WHO-China research group had concluded that the primary two theories have been “likely to very likely”, the meals chain principle was “possible”, however the lab incident principle was “extremely unlikely”.
In its assertion, India additionally referred to as for “a comprehensive and expert-led mechanism” to research the origin of COVID-19 in cooperation with all stakeholders, and supported the likelihood of a further WHO mission to the Chinese websites to additional research the difficulty.
India’s assertion comes days after U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra referred to as on the WHO to conduct a second and more clear investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 on the Assembly.
U.S. President Joseph Biden has additionally tasked his National Security Advisor and intelligence companies to redouble efforts to achieve a conclusion on the origins of the virus.
China, which has persistently denied the idea that there was a leak from a Wuhan lab the place analysis on zoonotic transmissions of Coronaviruses was happening, criticised Mr. Biden’s assertion.
Chinese MFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian accused the U.S. of not caring “about facts and truth…or serious scientific origin tracing,” on Thursday, indicating that China considers the “lab leak” principle report closed.
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