Covid-19 Probably Originated from Laboratory Leak in China, US Claims
- Times of India
VIVA – The origin of Covid-19 is still a matter of ongoing investigation and scientific debate. But, the United Statest (US) Department of Energy claims that the coronavirus pandemic most likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak.
The claim was recorded in a confidential report by the office of Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, The Wall Street Journal reported. It marks a shift by the Energy Department, which previously said it was still undecided about how the virus came about.
As quoted in the Journal and The New York Times said the department assessed with low confidence of laboratory leaks. However, people who read the confidential report highlighted how agencies remain divided over the origins of Covid-19 and the pandemic that hit the world early in 2020.
"Its conclusions reported as the result of new intelligence, remain important because the department oversees a national network of laboratories, including some that conduct advanced biological research," the report states.
The department is now joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the belief that the pandemic, which has killed nearly seven million people, is the result of an accident in a Chinese laboratory.
Ilustrasi Vaksin COVID-19.
- Kaspersky
"Four US intelligence agencies believe COVID-19 occurred through natural transmission, while two others remain undecided," the Journal reported.
The White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan emphasized the diverse views on the matter. “At present, no definitive answer has emerged from the intelligence community to this question,”
In the middle of February, the World Health Organization promise to do everything possible until they get an answer about the origins of Covid-19, denying reports that the agency has abandoned its investigation.
Moreover, the scientific community considers it important to determine the origins of the pandemic to better fight or even prevent the next one.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus outbreak a pandemic after the global healthcare system was badly shaken by the massive transmission, causing billions of people to be infected.
In the past three years, the Covid-19 virus has mutated several times, and each time a new variant emerges, the world faces real-time challenges in managing the infection rate. Currently, there are two variants of the highly mutated Omicron Covid-19 strain, which is driving a new wave in China and the United States.
