A joint WHO-China examine on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to people by way of one other animal is the probably situation and {that a} lab leak is extraordinarily unlikely,” according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.
The findings were largely as expected and left many questions unanswered. The team proposed further research in every area except the lab leak hypothesis.
The report’s release has been repeatedly delayed, raising questions about whether the Chinese side was trying to skew the conclusions to prevent blame for the coronavirus pandemic falling on China. A World Health Organization official said late last week that he expected it would be ready for release in the next few days.
The AP obtained what gave the impression to be a near-final model on Monday from a Geneva-based diplomat from a WHO-member nation. It wasnt clear whether or not the report may nonetheless be modified previous to its launch. The diplomat didn’t wish to be recognized as a result of they weren’t licensed to launch it forward of publication.
