China has in the past been heavily criticised for blocking international investigations into the origins of the virus. 9News
The genetic sequences of viral samples taken from the Huanan Seafood Market in- thought to be the ground zero site of the pandemic - were "almost identical" to those of patients infected with the coronavirus, suggesting that COVID-19 may have originated from humans, said Tong Yigang of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology.
Tong, who was speaking at a press conference held by the Chinese State Council regarding research into the origin of the virus, said more than 1300 environmental and frozen animal samples had been taken at the market between January 2020 and March 2020, and researchers had isolated three strains of virus from the environmental samples.He also said there was not yet sufficient evidence to back up recent studies that had suggested racoon dogs were the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
Speaking at the same event, a Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention researcher, Zhou Lei, called for global scientific collaboration in tracing the origins of the virus, saying that the site where COVID-19 was first discovered was not necessarily where it originated. China has in the past been heavily criticised for blocking international investigations into the origins of the virus.said it still did not have key data from China about the beginnings of the outbreak, a lack of disclosure the head of its program on emerging diseases said was "simply inexcusable.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese officials lash out at WHO over COVID virus dataChinese health officials have defended their search for the source of the COVID-19 virus, after the WHO said they should have shared genetic information earlier.
Read more »
China begins military drills in Taiwan StraitChina has begun three days of military drills in retaliation for the Taiwanese President's recent meeting with White House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan's Defence Ministry claims 71 Chinese aircraft and nine ships have crossed the median line of the contested Taiwanese Strait. In response, Taiwan launched its own fighter jets from a military base on the northwest of the island. Chinese media say the drills will include patrols and advances around Taiwan to rehearse the encirclement of the island.
Read more »
'Stern warning': China begins military drills after Taiwan-US meetingChina says the three days of military drills 'serve as a stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces seeking Taiwan independence'.
Read more »
‘Serious warnings’: China launches planes, warships around TaiwanChina has started three days of military drills “around” Taiwan from Saturday, after the island’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, returned from US visits that infuriated Beijing.
Read more »
China announces military drills around Taiwan after President's US meetingChina will begin three days of 'combat readiness patrols' and military exercises around Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen's trip to the United States.
Read more »