WHO denies reports that it delayed COVID-19 alert for China
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday denied a report that it delayed a global warning on the coronavirus outbreak on the request of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The concerned report was published in a German news outlet, Der Spiegel, on Friday. The report claimed that China had urged WHO to delay issuing a global warning on the outbreak. Here are more details.
German report claimed Jinping spoke to WHO chief telephonically
According to the Der Spiegel report, Jinping spoke to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on January 21. During the telephonic conversation, the Chinese President urged the WHO chief to hold back information about human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus and to delay a pandemic warning, the report stated. The report had cited Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, called the 'Bundesnachrichtendienst' (BND).
Allegations unfounded and untrue: WHO
The WHO denied that the Chinese President and Dr. Tedros spoke over the phone on January 21 or any other day. It dismissed the allegations as "unfounded and untrue" adding that such "inaccurate" reports work to distract and detract global efforts to fight COVID-19. The organization also highlighted that China confirmed human-to-human transmission on January 20, a day before the alleged phone call.
You can view WHO's tweet here
Two days after China's alert, WHO confirmed human-to-human transmission
On January 20, China's Health Ministry had issued a statement confirming human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus. On January 22, the WHO mission to China confirmed there was evidence of human-to-human transmission. On January 30, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The health body has repeatedly faced allegations of helping China cover up the outbreak.
COVID-19 has killed nearly 3 lakh globally
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city late last year. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to over 170 countries, killing nearly 2.8 lakh and sickening 40 lakh.
