Key Sentence:
- US intelligence agencies have said they may never be able to identify the origins of Covid-19 but have concluded that it was not designed as a biological weapon.
In a recent assessment of the virus’s origin, the Office of the Director of the National Intelligence Service (ODNI) said animal-to-human transmission and laboratory leaks were plausible hypotheses about its spread. But there is not enough information of draw definite conclusions.
China criticized the report.
The results were published in a declassified According To US Intelligence report, an update of a 90-day review released by President Joe Biden’s administration in August. It said intelligence agencies were divide over the most likely origin of the virus. Four authorities rated “little confidence” that it came from an infected animal or a related virus.
However, one agency tell there was “moderate belief” that the first human infections were most likely the result of a laboratory incident. That may have involved experimentation or handling of animals by the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The report also said that Chinese officials were not aware of the existence of the virus. Before the first Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan in late 2019. However, China continues to obstruct global investigations and opposes the exchange of information.
Context: How fast are vaccines developing worldwide?
Chinese authorities have linked the early cases of Covid-19 to a fish market in Wuhan. Leading scientists to theorize that the virus was first transmitted from animals to humans. But earlier this year reports in the American media began to suggest that the virus may have According To US Intelligence emerged from Wuhab’s lab, possibly through an accidental leak.
In May, President Biden ordered intelligence officials to investigate the virus’s origins, including a laboratory leak theory that China rejected. Media signatures, Covid-19 and Wuhan: Why don’t we know anymore? In response to the intelligence report, the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement to Reuters. “The US move to rely on its intelligence apparatus rather. Than scientists to trace the origins of Covid-19 is a complete political farce.
“We support science-based efforts to trace its origins and will continue to be actively involve. However, we firmly reject attempts to politicize this issue. Around 240 million cases of Covid-19 have been confirm worldwide, with more than 4.9 million deaths.