Undercover film shows Chinese medics outlining ‘cover-up’

CHINESE medics have been filmed undercover saying they realised coronavirus could be transmitted between humans some time before the state admitted the truth but were allegedly told to keep quiet.

The material was filmed secretly by a “citizen journalist” for a new feature-length ITV documentary, Outbreak: The Virus That Shook The World, which airs at 9pm tomorrow.

Medical professionals in Wuhan – where Covid-19 originated -– explain from the first flare of the pandemic that they were in no doubt how dangerous the virus was, saying they were aware of deaths as early as the end of December 2019.

One says: “We all felt there shouldn’t be any doubt about human-to-human transmission.”

These medical professionals witnessed some of the first cases.

One says: “Actually, at the end of December or beginning of

January, the relative of someone I know died of this virus. Many of those living with him were also infected, including people I know.”

The medical professionals, speaking to the journalist after Wuhan was released from lockdown, also outlined a “cover-up” by the Chinese government authorities from the start of the outbreak.

One says: “We knew this virus transmitted from human to human. But when we attended a hospital meeting, we were told not to speak out.

“The provincial leaders told the hospitals not to tell the truth.”

Evidence uncovered by the documentary makers reveals the highly contagious new coronavirus was spreading but for 12 days between January 5 and January 17, last year no new cases were officially reported.

Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who tried to issue the first warning about coronavirus outbreak, died in February.