WHO says probe into COVID-19 virus origin still ongoing
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday.
"As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began.
The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable.
The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories.
WHO said China has not yet shared the information.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics.
In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts.
Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.
But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident.
"Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said.
"It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science."
Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report.
Agencies
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday.
"As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began.
The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable.
The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories.
WHO said China has not yet shared the information.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics.
In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts.
Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.
But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident.
"Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said.
"It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science."
Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report.
Agencies
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday.
"As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began.
The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable.
The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories.
WHO said China has not yet shared the information.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics.
In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts.
Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.
But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident.
"Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said.
"It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science."
Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report.
Agencies
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday.
"As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began.
The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable.
The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories.
WHO said China has not yet shared the information.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics.
In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts.
Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.
But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident.
"Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said.
"It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science."
Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report.
Agencies
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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
WHO says probe into COVID-19 virus origin still ongoing
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO said China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics. In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts. Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident. "Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said. "It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science." Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Agencies The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO said China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics. In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts. Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident. "Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said. "It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science." Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Agencies The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO said China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics. In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts. Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident. "Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said. "It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science." Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Agencies The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO said China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics. In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts. Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident. "Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said. "It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science." Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Agencies
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Perth Now
WHO says probe into COVID-19 virus origin still ongoing
The World Health Organisation says efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "all hypotheses must remain on the table" to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group investigating its origins reached an unsatisfying conclusion in its final report released on Friday. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," Dr Tedros told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO said China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 came from is key to preventing future pandemics. In 2021, Dr Tedros launched the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent international experts. Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said on Friday that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. But she added that after more than three years of work, SAGO was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID was the result of a lab accident. "Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded," she said. "It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science." Venter said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Agencies
Courier-Mail
13 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
New and updated Queensland icons stun at state's largest architects awards show
An outdated hospital and an old heritage pub have received updates stunning enough to sweep Queensland's biggest architect awards show this year. The Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Awards took place on Thursday night, celebrating standout residential, commercial and public projects build across the entire state. Co-chair of the Institute's Queensland chapter, Jonathan Goh, said the awards showcased a wide range of state architects 'punching at an international level', especially in Queensland's regional areas. 'Sometimes architects and projects in the regions are just sort of quite far away, and we tend to be Brisbane centric – but in the regions there's some excellent work happening,' he said. 'There's an appreciation of history, the stories that buildings hold … architects are trying to engage more with the story of older buildings.' As part of the Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment project, development company Jacobs designed the Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building, winning them two of the night's biggest prizes. With a design created in heavy consultation with First Nations people, the jury calling the final product an 'integration of community, culture and clinical health services'. 'They've done a really good job breaking down things that are often big and intimidating, and just breaking them down to feel more approachable and welcoming,' Mr Goh said. ANZ Health Section Lead Megan Reading said her team was 'incredibly proud' to have created the building in an area that had reached capacity for its current patients. 'We actually delivered the design during Covid,' she said. 'It was a very challenging project, but truly worth the effort.' 'There are really big signposts to say First Nations people are welcome in the hospital – we worked really hard to have a design that welcomed them and helped reduce their fears to accessing health.' The hospital is now open for patients, and now features an emergency department nearly four times larger than its previous design – along with more enclosed bedroom spaces and nature-filled courtyards on the ground level. 'Hospitals are all about people, and delivering care and connection to people,' Ms Reading said. The heritage-listed Joe's Waterhole, located in Eumundi, received two awards on the night after its transformation into Matso's Sunshine Coast Brewery. The new brewery, restaurant and beer garden was designed by Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects, represented one of several regional projects Mr Goh praised on the night. When awarding this project, the jury praised it as a 'respectful execution of a substantial renovation to a heritage building' that created 'a space that now attracts an all-ages clientele, resulting in a deservedly popular destination'. But the biggest award on the night went to one of Queensland's largest projects: the Kangaroo Point Bridge, which received the Queensland Architecture Medallion for 2025. The huge 460 metre structure, linking Kangaroo Point with the CBD, was designed by Blight Rayner Architecture in collaboration with Dissing + Weitling Concept, and had Brisbane City Council, Arup and COX Architecture working on the reference design. 'In some ways it's totally transformed the way you can understand Brisbane,' Mr Goh said, highlighting the design's innovative methods of keeping slim and sleek. The jury, meanwhile, praised the project for showing 'how investment in key public infrastructure can enhance mobility and liveability'. Other winners across the night included St Marcellin Centre at Marist College Primary School, which won the People's Choice Prize and an award for educational architecture. The jury hailed the design, made by Phorm architecture + design, as a benchmark for standards within contemporary architecture, as well as 'a physical and visual bridge' between both school and sports. Another award winner for educational architecture was the Cathedral School Sports Precinct, which won the Regional Project of the Year Prize. The work covered eight multipurpose hardcourts out in Townsvile, with two of them covered by a roofed structure with wide openings on its sides. Described as a responsible gathering space for the community, the judges of the awards called the work an 'unabashedly monumental structure for the school campus'. 'It's just great seeing a regional architect do work at that level; it could fit in Brisbane and punch at the same level,' Mr Goh said. Meanwhile, the James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place took home the Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture, the GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture and Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture. The Douglas-based site was designed by KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects. It won many of its accolades for a design praised as 'driven by a response to site and climate', making a 'spectacular' location and a benchmark project for education design in tropical regions. Many residential projects won accolades on the night, but only three won named awards: Mapleton House by Atelier Chen Hung, Niwa House by John Ellway and Four Dwellings on 800m2 by Clare Design. Mr Goh called Four Dwellings a visually creative and clever solution to the country's current housing shortage. 'A lot of modular housing looks a bit pedestrian, but this one was … quite beautiful,' he said. 'It's just a clever example of trying to fit more within an existing suburban block, and just trying to raise the density there … without feeling all cramped in.' Finally, associate director of Urbis Dr Kali Marnarne won the Queensland Emerging Architect Prize for her research and community involvement. See the list of winners here: Winning Projects – Queensland Architecture Medallion: Kangaroo Point Bridge (Blight Rayner Architecture, Dissing + Weitling, Brisbane City Council, Arup and COX Architecture) – People's Choice Prize: St Marcellin Centre (Phorm architecture + design) – Social Impact Prize: Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building (Jacobs) – Regional Project of the Year Prize: Cathedral School Sports Precinct (Stephen de Jersey Architect) – Enduring Architecture Award: Bethany Home for the Aged (Goodsir Baker Wild) – EmAGN Project Award: Matso's Sunshine Coast Brewery (Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects) – Art & Architecture Prize: Sun Stadium (Amrita Hepi, Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture) Named Awards – The FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture: Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building (Jacobs) – The Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects) The Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Mapleton House (Atelier Chen Hung) – The Elina Mottram Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Niwa House (John Ellway) – The Jobs & Froud Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Four Dwellings on 800m2 (Clare Design) – The Beatrice Hutton Award for Commercial Architecture; Piccadilly, 340 Queen Street (Blight Rayner Architecture) – The Don Roderick Award for Heritage: Mulgrave Gallery (TPG Architects) – The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects) – The Karl Langer Award for Urban Design: Kangaroo Point Bridge (Blight Rayner Architecture, Dissing + Weitling, Brisbane City Council, Arup and COX Architecture) – The Hayes & Scott Award for Small Project Architecture: Sun Stadium (Amrita Hepi with Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture) – The Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects)
