WHO: "It Will Take Time to Dispatch Additional 'COVID-19 Investigation Team' to China"

Michael Ryan [EPA=Yonhap News file photo]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on the 17th (local time) that it will take time to send additional experts to China for the investigation into the origin of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Associated Press, Michael Ryan, WHO Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, said during a virtual press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, that expecting the additional dispatch of the investigation team within this month is unrealistic.

Earlier, on the 10th, WHO sent two advance team members composed of epidemiologists and animal health experts to China for the purpose of investigating the origin of COVID-19.

However, WHO stated that they are currently quarantined at a hotel in Beijing (北京) according to procedures and have no plans to visit Wuhan (武漢), where COVID-19 was first reported.

Regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Brazil, which has been severely affected, Ryan reportedly urged not to miss the opportunity to control the transmission, saying it is "no longer exponential," according to major foreign media.

Ryan said, "The reproduction number in Brazil is pointing between 0.5 and 1.5 nationwide," adding, "Once this figure stabilizes, there will be an opportunity to reduce transmission. I believe that opportunity is now."

He also expressed regret that about 11% of all infected individuals in Brazil are healthcare workers.

In response, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "We all owe a huge debt to healthcare workers."

Furthermore, Director-General Ghebreyesus stated, "WHO is coordinating research to improve understanding of the infection risks faced by healthcare workers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.