Members of a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation investigating the origins of COVID-19 visited a market in Wuhan, China, on Sunday where many of the first infections were reported in late 2019.
Peter Daszak, president of the American group EcoHealth Alliance and a member of the delegation, confirmed the visit in a tweet, as well as a top official at the International Livestock Research Institute.
Daszak tweeted that the market that has now closed has given an air of historical interest and expressed sympathy with those in the city who lost their livelihoods as a result of the outbreak.
As you walk through the Huanan Market, you feel the historical significance of this place and a sympathy for the sellers and the community who lost their livelihood due to COVID
– Peter Daszak (@PeterDaszak) 31 January 2021
Yes i’m at @PeterDaszak, @MarionKoopmans and colleagues here in Wuhan meet with various institutions and make field visits.
– Dr Hung Nguyen-Viet (@hung_cenpher) 31 January 2021
Team members fixed an inch to journalists covering the visit, but according to several news reports, they were prevented from meeting directly with reporters. The Chinese government has been criticized by some, especially during the Trump administration, for the speed and level at which it has collaborated with global health experts who want to better understand the origins of COVID-19.
China’s recently reported rate of COVID-19 cases has remained largely unchanged for months after the country experienced its initial outbreak in late 2019 until 2020. The country also launched several versions of COVID-19 vaccines roll out.
In late December, Chinese officials said the first known case of a more contagious COVID-19 strain suspected to have originated in the UK was confirmed within its borders.