Coronavirus: China confirms Wuhan is first stop on WHO origins mission

Team of international experts will travel directly on Thursday to the Chinese city where the disease was first detected

Confirmation comes after two members en route to the country were stopped by ’visa clearance’ issues

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China says a WHO team will fly directly to Wuhan from Singapore on Thursday. Photo: AP

Published: 10:30pm, 12 Jan 2021Updated: 11:27pm, 12 Jan 2021

A team of World Health Organization (WHO) scientists investigating the origins of the coronavirus will fly to the central Chinese city of Wuhan from Singapore on Thursday, according to China’s foreign ministry.

Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian confirmed on Tuesday that the team would travel directly to Wuhan, the epicentre of China’s outbreak last winter and the focal point of the mission.

The confirmation came after a confusing false start last week when two members en route to the country were stopped by what the WHO described as “visa clearance” issues.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday in Geneva that the international team was now on its way to China.

“We are pleased that an international team of scientists – distinguished experts from 10 institutions and countries – are commencing their travel to China to engage in and review scientific research with their Chinese counterparts on the origins of the virus,” Tedros said.

“Studies will begin in Wuhan to identify the potential source of infection of the early cases.”