US-led investigation into origins of Covid-19 inconclusive

Officials remain divided over whether the Covid-19 virus originated from a lab or person-to-animal contact

US officials say that the investigation into the origins of Covid-19 remains inconclusive.

To date, the most plausible theories are that the virus leaked from a lab, or an infected animal spread it to humans.

Citizens globally are still waiting for officials to release a summary of the findings in a few days’ time. However, the media is still reporting that the investigation has come to no conclusion.

President Biden initially requested the investigation following the WHO travelling to Wuhan earlier this year. The WHO determined that the virus probably did come from an animal.

China dismisses lab theory as ‘anti-science’

Meanwhile, China’s foreign minister has dismissed the lab leak theory and other further reporting as ‘anti-science’.

The minister added that the US has effectively “ignored and abandoned” the WHO’s previous research.

The WHO’s report dismisses the possibility that the virus may have leaked from a lab. However, sceptics point out that the Wuhan lab in question has studied bats for years.

News that several researchers at the lab were hospitalised back in November 2019 prompted Biden’s decision to launch a further investigation.