World Health Organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Ten World Health Organization scientists will visit China from Thursday to probe the origins of COVID-19, authorities said, more than a year after the pandemic began and amid accusations Beijing delayed the investigation.

The WHO team "will conduct joint research cooperation on the origins of covid 19 with Chinese scientists," the National Health Commission said in a statement.

The head of the World Health Organisation has said he is "very disappointed" China has denied its experts access to investigating the origins of coronavirus.

The head of the World Health Organization said on Jan. 5 that he is "disappointed" Chinese officials haven't finalized the permissions to allow a team of experts into China to examine the origins of COVID-19.

Global coronavirus infections surged past 65 million on Dec. 4 even as countries doubled down on restrictions and plans to roll out vaccines gathered pace.

The World Health Organization warned against complacency and what it said was an erroneous belief that because vaccines are on the near-horizon, the Covid-19 crisis is over.

Leaders of the world's most powerful nations wrapped up the Group of 20 summit on Nov. 22, vowing to spare no effort to protect lives and ensure affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all people.