January 1, Unclassified probe into COVID origins says it’s ‘plausible’ virus leaked from Wuhan lab

An unclassified summary of the US intelligence report on the origins of COVID-19 finds that it’s “plausible” the virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China—though investigators remain “divided.”

“After examining all available intelligence reporting and other information, though, the [intelligence community] remains divided on the most likely origin of COVID-19,” the report states. “All agencies assess that two hypotheses are plausible: natural exposure to an infected animal and a laboratory-associated incident.”

“One [intelligence community] element assesses with moderate confidence that the first human infection with SARS-CoV-2 most likely was the result of a laboratory-associated incident, probably involving experimentation, animal handling, or sampling by the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” the unclassified summary reads.

The report says a “conclusive assessment” would require China’s cooperation.

“China’s cooperation most likely would be needed to reach a conclusive assessment of the origins of COVID-19. Beijing, however, continues to hinder the global investigation, resist sharing information and blame other countries, including the United States.”

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COVID origins report says it’s ‘plausible’ virus leaked from Wuhan lab