WHO to revive probe into COVID-19 origins, officials warn time is running out

The World Health Organization is developing a team of about 20 scientists who will be tasked with uncovering the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak-- and officials warned that time could be running out, according to a report.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that officials from the U. N.’s public-health arm have warned that the world may never know the virus’ origins.

Lawrence Gostin, faculty director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, told the paper that it is unclear if the team’s mandate will be enough to actually make progress in the investigation.

"China still holds all the cards, the WHO lacks power and it’s inconceivable to me that a new committee will be able to negotiate access to China…This is building a beautiful committee with nowhere to go," he said.

The outbreak has also created additional tension between the U. S. and China. The Journal’s report said the Biden administration has been pressing WHO's director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to renew the inquiry. The WHO did not immediately respond to a late email from Fox News.

An unidentified WHO spokesman told the paper that the team’s priority "needs to be data and... (Read more)

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