A team of experts commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to research the origins of the coronavirus arrived in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday. Upon arrival, the researchers were tested for the coronavirus and have to go into quarantine for two weeks. There had been a long tug of war around the trip, so that the arrival had been delayed.

Together with Chinese scientists, the experts want to find out whether the virus can be traced back to its source. More than a year ago, the first infections with the new Sars-CoV-2 virus, which infected tens of millions of people around the world, were discovered in the metropolis of Wuhan. According to official statistics, more than 1.9 million people have died in connection with COVID – 19.

Subdued expectations Members of the WHO team lowered their expectations prior to the trip. Above all, it is a question of exchanging ideas with the Chinese colleagues to see which traces could still be followed, it said. The first trip also only serves to look in a first phase to see what research is already going on and what data is available, in order to then make a plan for the second phase.

The search after the origin of the virus is considered politically explosive. China fears being denounced as the culprit for the pandemic. For months, Chinese authorities have therefore been spreading doubts as to whether the virus even originated in China. Reference is made to unconfirmed reports that possible infections may have existed in other countries before. WHO experts would also have to travel to other countries, said a foreign office spokesman.

China weighs in China’s propaganda also spreads the thesis that the virus may have been introduced into China through frozen food. Reference is made to today’s virus traces on imported frozen goods. However, it is disputed among scientists whether these traces are sufficient for an infection. Foreign researchers, on the other hand, continue to see bats from southern China as the cause, which have long been mentioned by Chinese authorities as a possible origin.

: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two of the delegation members were prevented from checking in to Wuhan by Chinese officials. Both COVID 19 antibodies are said to have been detected. PCR tests in their home countries and in Singapore are said to have turned out negative. The two scientists would now be tested again. The other 13 WHO experts have meanwhile arrived in Wuhan. (olb)