NEW DELHI : Cooperation from China, including access to sites, data, blood samples, and animal farms in the country, is required to determine the origin of the covid-19 virus, according to former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan.
The virus is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China. In an interview, Swaminathan stated that while the covid-19 pandemic will no longer be considered an emergency, it will continue to have recurrent surges whenever a new strain emerges.
She noted increased antimicrobial resistance in India due to the widespread and irrational use of antibiotics during the first and second waves.
Swaminathan emphasized the need to address long covid symptoms, particularly among those with high-risk conditions such as hypertension.