US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to reporters on March 5, has referred to the novel coronavirus as the "Wuhan virus"
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to reporters on March 5, has referred to the novel coronavirus as the "Wuhan virus" (AFP Photo/Eric BARADAT)
The novel coronavirus is getting a new name from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- the "Wuhan virus" -- despite objections from China where the illness was first detected.
For the second day in a row, Pompeo on Friday publicly referred to COVID-19 as the "Wuhan virus" or "Wuhan coronavirus," a reference to the central Chinese metropolis that is hardest hit.
Asked in a CNBC interview about the success of Beijing's response to the outbreak, Pompeo said, "I'm happy you complimented the Chinese Communist Party today, but remember this is the Wuhan coronavirus that's caused this."
And in a news conference on Thursday, Pompeo highlighted $37 million in US aid for countries hit by "the Wuhan virus's spread."
This story is developing…
Sources within the Trump administration have informed CD Media that The White House believes COVID-19 originated in the bio lab in Wuhan, and not from the wildlife ‘wet market’ which is the narrative pushed by Chinese officials.
The source also said the Trump team believes the incident will spark the end of Communist Party rule in China, due to the complete collapse of the economy.
We will report more on this as we obtain more information.