At coronavirus-dominated WHO meeting, U.S. is combative as China takes diplomatic tack
4 years, 7 months ago

At coronavirus-dominated WHO meeting, U.S. is combative as China takes diplomatic tack

LA Times  

Beijing and Washington faced off Monday at a virtual worldwide health gathering, with Chinese President Xi Jinping announcing a $2-billion contribution to fight the coronavirus and urging solidarity with the World Health Organization in battling a pandemic that has claimed more than 316,000 lives across the globe and devastated many countries’ economies. He said any evaluation should be based on “science and professionalism” and “conducted in an objective and impartial manner.” The conciliatory tone of Xi’s remarks, coupled with China’s announcement of a financial contribution at a time when the U.S. has temporarily cut its own support for the WHO, was the latest example of China seeking the leadership mantle amid the crisis, despite being the country where the outbreak started. He said at least “one member state made a mockery of their transparency obligations, with tremendous costs for the entire world.” Xi defended China’s early actions, saying it had moved in a “timely fashion” to provide information, including the virus’ genetic sequence, to the WHO and other parties. He acknowledging that “geopolitical divisions have been thrown into sharp relief” but said “nations have come together as never before.” Xi’s support for the independent review represented something of a softening of China’s angry insistence that there was nothing untoward about its own actions in the early stages of the virus’ explosive spread.

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History of this topic

Is there an epidemic brewing in China?
1 week, 1 day ago

Is there an epidemic brewing in China?

India Today  

Social media platforms have been inundated with alarming claims about a new epidemic spreading across China. Users are sharing videos showing overcrowded hospitals and suggesting the rapid spread of multiple respiratory viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19. However, there is currently no credible evidence to support these claims, and official confirmation from health authorities remains absent. The …

Trump’s botched COVID response has been largely forgotten, but it's crucial we remember
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump’s botched COVID response has been largely forgotten, but it's crucial we remember

Salon  

At a campaign event in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump asked the crowd a question Ronald Reagan also asked voters in the 1980 election against Jimmy Carter, and one many presidents before have asked. “People are still framing questions like that as if where we were four years ago was not in the early stages of a …

‘Not by novel virus’: What China said on ‘mysterious pneumonia’
1 year, 1 month ago

‘Not by novel virus’: What China said on ‘mysterious pneumonia’

Hindustan Times  

A pneumonia outbreak in China has alerted the world including the World Health Organization which sought more information about the situation from the country. Medical staff in protective suits treat a patient with pneumonia On Sunday, China's health ministry asked local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics amid the latest crisis. "Efforts should be made to increase the …

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO
1 year, 1 month ago

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO

Firstpost  

Since mid-October 2023, the World Health Organization has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems showing an increase in respiratory illness in children in northern China China has reiterated that no unusual or new pathogens have been detected in the upsurge in child respiratory illnesses in the north, the WHO said on Thursday after putting pressure on Beijing for detailed …

China's pneumonia scare: Transparency please
1 year, 1 month ago

China's pneumonia scare: Transparency please

Live Mint  

China, where covid broke out in November 2019, is in the spotlight again. The World Health Organization has asked the country for details on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children. In a recent statement, the WHO noted an increase in influenza-like ailments compared to the same autumn of the past three years in China’s …

Spike in illnesses isn’t a new pathogen, China reassures WHO
1 year, 1 month ago

Spike in illnesses isn’t a new pathogen, China reassures WHO

Salon  

An outbreak of respiratory illnesses in China has sparked alarm, but the sudden rise in sickness is not related to a new virus, according to Chinese health authorities. So far, the data suggests that there’s nothing out of the ordinary, but both the WHO and China have been criticized in the past for not being entirely transparent about the COVID-19 …

On China pneumonia outbreak, scientists caution to not press ‘pandemic panic button’
1 year, 1 month ago

On China pneumonia outbreak, scientists caution to not press ‘pandemic panic button’

Hindustan Times  

Leading scientists urged caution over fears of another pandemic on Thursday after the World Health Organization requested more information from China on a rise of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. The standard wording of the alert echoed the first-ever notice about what would become COVID-19, sent on Dec. 30 2019: "Undiagnosed pneumonia - China." "I am not going …

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days
1 year, 8 months ago

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days

Hindustan Times  

Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared last week, roughly 1,200 days after it first learnt of a new coronavirus spreading through Wuhan, China. Still, WHO’s word is a strong determinant in global health discourse and on this count, the agency fell short in its mission, especially in the early days of the pandemic. …

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over
1 year, 8 months ago

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over

Firstpost  

A top Chinese health official said that despite the World Health Organisation ending the worldwide emergency designation for COVID-19, the virus is still dangerous and China will continue to monitor it while boosting vaccination rates among high-risk groups. According to Liang Wannian, head of China’s COVID-19 response expert group under the National Health Commission, the warning status being lifted by …

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says

Al Jazeera  

UN health agency declares end to public health emergency of international concern, in place for more than three years. COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a “global health emergency”, the World Health Organization says. “Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern,” WHO …

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
1 year, 9 months ago

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives

LA Times  

An elderly patient uses a ventilator in the hallway of the emergency ward in Beijing in January. Chinese state media claimed the decision to open up was based on “scientific analysis and shrewd calculation,” and “by no means impulsive.” But in reality, China’s ruling Communist Party ignored repeated efforts by top medical experts to kick-start exit plans until it was …

Come clean on Covid origins, says WHO as lab leak theory gains momentum
1 year, 10 months ago

Come clean on Covid origins, says WHO as lab leak theory gains momentum

India Today  

The WHO on Friday urged all countries to reveal what they know about the origins of Covid-19, following US claims of a Chinese lab leak and furious denials from Beijing. FBI director Christopher Wray told Fox News television on Tuesday that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation had now assessed the source of the Covid-19 pandemic was "most likely a …

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory
1 year, 10 months ago

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory

Firstpost  

Beijing: For the second day in a row, China on Wednesday dismissed U.S. suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been triggered by a virus that leaked from a Chinese laboratory. Responding to comments by FBI Director Christopher Wray, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the involvement of the U.S. intelligence community was evidence enough of the “politicization of origin …

Covid-19 'most likely' leaked from Chinese government controlled lab in Wuhan, says FBI director
1 year, 10 months ago

Covid-19 'most likely' leaked from Chinese government controlled lab in Wuhan, says FBI director

Firstpost  

Washington: Covid-19 pandemic “most likely” originated from a Chinese government controlled lab in Wuhan, said FBI Director Christopher Wray. ‘Covid origin likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan’ In an interview to Fox News, Wray said: “The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan.” …

Covid-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in China, tweets FBI
1 year, 10 months ago

Covid-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in China, tweets FBI

India TV News  

FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in Wuhan even as China on Tuesday pushed back at renewed suggestions that the pandemic could have been the result of a lab leak, saying it has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins. "FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the …

China says it’s been ‘open and transparent’ on COVID origins
1 year, 10 months ago

China says it’s been ‘open and transparent’ on COVID origins

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China on Tuesday pushed back at renewed suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic could have been the result of a lab leak, saying it has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy assessed with “low confidence” that the pandemic that was first detected in the central Chinese city of …

No definitive conclusion on COVID-19 origin theory: White House
1 year, 10 months ago

No definitive conclusion on COVID-19 origin theory: White House

The Hindu  

There is no definitive conclusion that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from a lab in China, the White House has said. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby’s remarks came following a report that the U.S. Energy Department has concluded the virus most likely leaked from a lab in China. The Wall Street Journal on Feb. 26, citing a …

No government consensus on COVID lab leak theory, says White House
1 year, 10 months ago

No government consensus on COVID lab leak theory, says White House

Firstpost  

New Delhi: Even as the Department of Energy determined that a lab leak was the most likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House has downplayed and refused to acknowledge this information, claiming that there is still no government consensus on the origins of the outbreak. “The intelligence community and the rest of the government is still looking at …

‘No conclusion on Covid origin theory’: White House on lab leak report
1 year, 10 months ago

‘No conclusion on Covid origin theory’: White House on lab leak report

Live Mint  

A day after the US Department of Energy said the coronavirus pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, the White House on Monday asserted that there is no definitive conclusion on the origin of Covid-19, according to the news agency ANI. Speaking to media persons at a daily White House news conference, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications …

Coronavirus origins still a mystery 3 years into pandemic
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus origins still a mystery 3 years into pandemic

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A crucial question has eluded governments and health agencies around the world since the COVID-19 pandemic began: Did the virus originate in animals or leak from a Chinese lab? “There is just not an intelligence community consensus.” The DOE’s conclusion was first reported over the weekend in the Wall Street Journal, which said the classified report was based …

The latest in the COVID 'lab leak' theory: What we know and don't know about the origins of the pandemic
1 year, 10 months ago

The latest in the COVID 'lab leak' theory: What we know and don't know about the origins of the pandemic

Firstpost  

Washington: The US Energy Department’s conclusion, with “low confidence,” that an accidental laboratory leak in China most likely caused the coronavirus pandemic has renewed questions about what sparked the worst public health crisis in a century — and whether the virus at the heart of it was somehow connected to scientific research. Scientists who have studied the genetics of the …

Science 'should not be politicised': China rejects US report's lab-leak theory on COVID-19 origin
1 year, 10 months ago

Science 'should not be politicised': China rejects US report's lab-leak theory on COVID-19 origin

Firstpost  

Beijing: China on Monday rejected a new US report that claims the COVID-19 virus may have leaked from a bio laboratory in Wuhan, saying the origins-tracing of the pandemic “is about science and should not be politicised.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the international experts have considered the theory that the pandemic might have leaked from a Chinese laboratory …

China replies to US on COVID lab leak theory: 'Already contributed immensely to global virus tracing research'
1 year, 10 months ago

China replies to US on COVID lab leak theory: 'Already contributed immensely to global virus tracing research'

India TV News  

China COVID origin: A day after the United States released a report in which it reiterated that the COVID virus leaked from a lab in China, the latter has refuted the claims and said it is "transparent" in the matter pertaining to the lethal virus. The critical remarks from Beijing came as the US Department of Energy reassessed the theory …

Coronavirus origins still a mystery 3 years into pandemic
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus origins still a mystery 3 years into pandemic

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “There is just not an …

U.S. agency says COVID came from “lab leak”, China slams “smear”
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. agency says COVID came from “lab leak”, China slams “smear”

The Hindu  

China on Monday accused the United States of “smearing” the country and “politicising” scientific research, after a government agency in Washington published a report concluding that the COVID-19 pandemic likely began from a laboratory accident. A classified intelligence report recently provided to the White House and members of Congress, reported The Wall Street Journal on Monday, said the U.S. Energy …

US says Chinese lab leak most likely caused Covid-19: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

US says Chinese lab leak most likely caused Covid-19: Report

Hindustan Times  

The coronavirus pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, the US Department of Energy now says according to media, although the White House maintained Sunday that American intelligence remained divided on the issue. The determination -- noted in a classified report by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines's office, The Wall Street Journal reported -- marks a shift by …

COVID-19 pandemic most likely began with a lab leak, U.S. Department of Energy says
1 year, 10 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic most likely began with a lab leak, U.S. Department of Energy says

LA Times  

Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology as members of the World Health Organization team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic visit on Feb. 3, 2021. Now, the U.S. Department of Energy has assessed with “low confidence” that it began with a lab leak, according to a person familiar with the report who wasn’t authorized to …

US energy dept says COVID probably leaked from Wuhan lab
1 year, 10 months ago

US energy dept says COVID probably leaked from Wuhan lab

Al Jazeera  

Investigations into the origins of a virus that has now killed nearly 7 million people have been hampered by politics and a lack of access and transparency. COVID-19 was probably the result of a leak from a laboratory, according to a newly updated classified report from the United States Department of Energy obtained by the Wall Street Journal newspaper. It …

China rejects US lab-leak theory news report on Covid-19 origin
1 year, 10 months ago

China rejects US lab-leak theory news report on Covid-19 origin

India Today  

China on Monday rejected a new US report that claims the Covid-19 virus may have leaked from a bio laboratory in Wuhan, saying the origins-tracing of the pandemic "is about science and should not be politicised." The USDE has assessed in the intelligence report that it had “low confidence” that the Covid-19 virus accidentally escaped from a lab in Wuhan, …

US claims Covid likely emerged from China laboratory leak: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

US claims Covid likely emerged from China laboratory leak: Report

Live Mint  

The coronavirus pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, the US Department of Energy now says according to media, although the White House maintained Sunday that American intelligence remained divided on the issue. The determination -- noted in a classified report by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines's office, The Wall Street Journal reported -- marks a shift by …

It’s confirmed! China Lab leak triggered Covid pandemic, but was it an accident?
1 year, 10 months ago

It’s confirmed! China Lab leak triggered Covid pandemic, but was it an accident?

Live Mint  

The coronavirus pandemic most likely was caused by a leak in a Chinese laboratory, a classified intelligence report of the US Energy Department has revealed, according to the Wall Street Journal. This report nonetheless, affirms that the covid pandemic was a leak, an accident and not part of Chinese biological-weapons program, the people who have read the classified report said …

Experts discuss WHO's recent COVID-related statement
1 year, 11 months ago

Experts discuss WHO's recent COVID-related statement

China Daily  

Editor's note: After the conclusion of its 14th International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, the World Health Organization issued a statement that the novel coronavirus pandemic remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. That requires society to make seasonal arrangements to protect vulnerable groups, like vaccinating the seniors who have a weak immune system and the medical staff who have …

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
1 year, 11 months ago

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics

The Quint  

The costly lesson from COVID: why elimination should be the default global strategy for future pandemics Getty Images Imagine it is 2030. An upgraded pandemic response to eliminate at source The process by which the WHO currently decides whether to declare a public health emergency of international concern has drawn criticism for being too slow. Elimination makes sense for other …

WHO appeals to China to release more COVID-19 information
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO appeals to China to release more COVID-19 information

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The World Health Organization has …

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS

India TV News  

China COVID deaths : China today reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December following complaints the government was failing to release data about the status of the pandemic. The death toll included 5,503 deaths due to respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and 54,435 fatalities from other ailments combined with COVID-19. The National Health Commission said …

World Health Organization restates call for COVID-19 data from China as US provides 'radical transparency' on Omicron outbreak
1 year, 11 months ago

World Health Organization restates call for COVID-19 data from China as US provides 'radical transparency' on Omicron outbreak

ABC  

The World Health Organization has reiterated the need for China to share more data on its explosive COVID-19 outbreak, while praising the United States for "radical transparency" in its efforts to battle a new sub-variant. Key points: The World Health Organization says COVID-19 deaths in China remain heavily under-reported Meanwhile, the US has been praised for its transparency as Omicron …

Europe faces no immediate COVID-19 threat from China, WHO says
2 years ago

Europe faces no immediate COVID-19 threat from China, WHO says

LA Times  

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s director for Europe, says the agency sees “no immediate threat” for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but more information is needed. The director of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Tuesday that the agency sees “no immediate threat” for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but …

‘Covid deaths are clearly piling up’, says top US scientist as WHO warns China
2 years ago

‘Covid deaths are clearly piling up’, says top US scientist as WHO warns China

Live Mint  

Epidemiologist and health economist Dr Eric Feigl-Ding has informed that World Health Organisation's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has asked China to stop under-reporting Covid deaths. The World Health Organisation had also criticized China's ‘narrow' definition of Covid deaths—of suppressing deaths. China reported one new Covid death in the mainland for Wednesday, compared with five a day earlier, bringing its official …

China ‘under-representing’ true impact of Covid outbreak, WHO says
2 years ago

China ‘under-representing’ true impact of Covid outbreak, WHO says

CNN  

CNN — The World Health Organization has accused China of “under-representing” the severity of its Covid outbreak and criticized its “narrow” definition of what constitutes a Covid death, as top global health officials urge Beijing to share more data about the explosive spread. He acknowledged that many countries have seen lags in reporting hospital data, but pointed to China’s “narrow” …

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures
2 years ago

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations. “We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a …

EU, Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID crisis
2 years ago

EU, Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID crisis

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union and China on Tuesday moved closer to a political standoff over the COVID-19 crisis, with Beijing vehemently rejecting travel restrictions some EU nations have started to impose that could be expanded in coming days. A special EU health security committee joining representatives from the EU member nations discussed potential measures Tuesday, and EU spokesman Tim …

China's Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world, spread new Covid-19 variant, warns Mike Pompeo
2 years ago

China's Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world, spread new Covid-19 variant, warns Mike Pompeo

Firstpost  

Washington: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world and spread a new Covid-19 variant. The former Trump official told radio host John Catsimatidis that Covid could rapidly spread across the globe because more Chinese residents are now free to travel after the Xi administration dropped its strict …

31 December 2022: Know what happened on this day and its significance
2 years ago

31 December 2022: Know what happened on this day and its significance

Firstpost  

The World Health Organization, on 31 December 2019 had first learned of ‘viral pneumonia’ cases in Wuhan, China, which later turned out to be the coronavirus. A month later it declared the virus Public Health Emergency of International Concern Today, 31 December, is the year’s last day as the world gears up to enter 2023. From the World Health Organization …

China’s Xi says country’s COVID prevention enters new phase
2 years ago

China’s Xi says country’s COVID prevention enters new phase

Al Jazeera  

The president says Beijing overcame unprecedented challenges in the battle against COVID amid a new significant wave of cases in the country. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more effort and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic. “At present, the epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase,” he …

Lack of info on China’s COVID-19 surge stirs global concern
2 years ago

Lack of info on China’s COVID-19 surge stirs global concern

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Moves by several countries to mandate COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving from China reflect global concern that new variants could emerge in its ongoing explosive outbreak — and that the government may not inform the rest of the world quickly enough. Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist at China’s Center for Disease Control, said Thursday that China has always …

Lack of info on China's COVID-19 surge stirs global concern
2 years ago

Lack of info on China's COVID-19 surge stirs global concern

The Hindu  

Moves by several countries to mandate COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving from China reflect global concern that new variants could emerge in its ongoing explosive outbreak — and that the government may not inform the rest of the world quickly enough. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted Thursday that many countries have not changed their policies for travelers from …

Global alarm grows over China\'s COVID-19 surge
2 years ago

Global alarm grows over China\'s COVID-19 surge

Deccan Chronicle  

BEIJING: The United States is the latest in a growing number of countries to impose restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing abruptly removed a major impediment to overseas travel despite surging Covid cases at home. Hospitals across China have been overwhelmed by an explosion of Covid cases following Beijing's decision to lift strict rules that had largely kept the …

Lack of info on China’s explosive COVID-19 outbreak stirs global concern
2 years ago

Lack of info on China’s explosive COVID-19 outbreak stirs global concern

LA Times  

The U.S., Japan and other countries are concerned that the Chinese government may not inform the rest of the world quickly enough about new variants. Moves by several countries to mandate COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving from China reflect global concern that new variants could emerge in its ongoing explosive outbreak — and that the government may not inform the …

China’s pivot in COVID plan sparks jitters worldwide
2 years ago

China’s pivot in COVID plan sparks jitters worldwide

The Hindu  

Beijing’s sudden pivot away from containing COVID-19 has caused jitters around the world, with the United States saying it may restrict travel from China following its decision to end mandatory quarantine for overseas arrivals. China late on Monday scrapped quarantine for inbound travellers from January 8 onwards, dismantling the last remaining piece of its stringent zero-COVID policy and ending some …

AP News Digest 7 a.m.
2 years ago

AP News Digest 7 a.m.

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. CAPITOL RIOT-INVESTIGATION-FINDINGS — A massive final report released by …

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