Inappropriate that WHO wants 2nd phase Covid origin-tracing: China

China opposes the move hours after the World Health Organization said that the next step will be the creation of a new advisory group that will develop a global framework to study pathogens with pandemic potential

China has opposed next-phase Covid-19 origins-tracing, saying that it is “inappropriate” that the World Health Organization (WHO) came up with the second phase of the study that focused on a lab-leak theory.

In recent months, the lab-leak theory has gained great traction after the Biden administration pushed for a fresh intelligence probe into the virus origin.

“The next-phase Covid-19 origins-tracing should be carried out worldwide in countries where horseshoe bat and pangolins reside, and which supply Wuhan Huanan market through cold-chain logistics,” said Liang Wannian, a Chinese expert in the WHO-convened joint team on origins tracing, as quoted by Global Times.

“It’s unacceptable and inappropriate that WHO came up with 2nd-phase of Covid19 origins-tracing that focused on a lab-leak theory, classified as extremely unlikely in the 1st-phase study, which ignored evidence and did not consult member states,” said China’s Health Commission official.

This comes hours after the WHO said that the next step in the search of the origins of Covid-19 will be the creation of a new advisory group that will develop a global framework to study pathogens with pandemic potential.

The WHO expressed hope that all countries, including China, can collaborate and put in place the conditions for more missions to be sent to Wuhan to duly probe the “lab hypothesis.”

“The International Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens, or SAGO, is a new advisory group for WHO, which will be responsible for advising WHO on the development of a global framework to systematically study the emergence of future emerging pathogens with pandemic potential. For SARS-CoV-2, it will support the rapid undertaking of recommended studies outlined in the March 2021 report,” the WHO said in a statement on Thursday.

Philippines extends travel ban for India

The Philippines has extended its travel ban for all inbound travellers from India and nine other nations until August 31 as cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have continued to spike across the Southeast Asian country, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday. The Delta variant has spread in the Philippines, where 627 cases have been reported, including 11 deaths, reports Xinhua news agency. Aside from India where the Delta variant was first detected, the Philippines also banned travellers from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel to give vaccine booster dose to some

Israeli PM Naftali Bennett has instructed health maintenance organisations (HMOs) to prepare to offer a third Covid vaccine booster for some age groups under 60 next week, according to a statement from his office. Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz were briefed on Thursday by CEOs of Israel’s four HMOs on their vaccination efforts, reports Xinhua news agency. The PM told the HMOs’ directors they need to “prepare to expand the range of ages for the third inoculation next week”.

Bangladesh to reopen tourist destinations

The Bangladesh government has decided to reopen tourist destinations from August 19, according to the country’s Cabinet Division. The Cabinet said on Thursday that tourist spots, resorts as well as recreation centres will be allowed to operate in half the capacity and everyone should follow the health guidelines, reports Xinhua news agency.

6,59,772
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

20,57,68,700
Total no. of cases worldwide

43,40,240
Total no. of deaths worldwide

Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins

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