WHO proposes theory on several patients zero with COVID-19

The first people infected with the new coronavirus could have been several, who received the infection at different times from separate carriers. Report informs, citing RIA Novosti, Director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme. Dr. Michael Ryan said.

"Identifying the primary cause of infection is an important aspect of all epidemiological investigations. There may be more than one primary case because there is probably transmission from multiple animal species."

Scientists are confident in the natural origin of the virus. Bats could have carried it.

Experts do not know what led to the increase in infection, whether it was a person, an animal, or the environment.

Ryan stressed that the WHO is counting on China's openness and cooperation to identify the infection source.

On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities informed the world health organization (who) about an outbreak of unknown pneumonia.

On February 11, 2020, the disease was named a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). On March 11, 2020, WHO announced that the outbreak had become a pandemic.