The report released on October 27 noted that the research-related incident is consistent with the early epidemiology showing rapid spread of the virus, with the earliest calls for assistance being located in the same district as the Wuhan Institute of Virology campus in central Wuhan.
"The WIV is an epicenter of advanced coronavirus research, where researchers have collected samples of and experimented on high-risk coronaviruses," a press release about the report stated.
The origins of the virus are still unknown, although some scientists lean toward a lab origin, which could mean that the virus was leaked or was released by Chinese researchers.
Natural origin theory possible but less likely
The report acknowledged that a natural origin remains possible, but noted that evidence found in previous instances of a virus starting in nature hasn't been identified for COVID-19, such as the original animal host.
"Such gaps include the failure to identify the original host reservoir, the failure to identify a candidate intermediate host species, and the lack of serological or epidemiological evidence showing transmission from animals to humans, among others," report stated.
Because of such evidentiary gaps, the researchers involved in the study believe it is hard to treat the natural zoonotic spillover theory as the presumptive origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Related: China engaged in a "massive coverup" - stonewalls international investigation into the Wuhan lab.)
The 35-page document was produced by minority staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions under the direction of Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina). It was described as an interim report.
"Staffers spent 15 months poring over hundreds of scientific studies, interviewing dozens of subject-matter experts and analyzing previous reports and studies on the possible origins," Burr said. "I believe that this report provides a significant contribution to the existing body of evidence and helps establish parameters for how future analyses should be reviewed."
Moreover, Burr believes that China's lack of transparency "prevents reaching a more definitive conclusion."
Burr and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) announced in June last year a bipartisan effort to include "reviewing information from federal agencies and relevant experts regarding the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, and how to improve the nation’s ability to assess the safety and security of biosafety laboratories."
However, neither Murray nor her staff was said to be involved in the interim report.
The report came after a recent study concluded that the odds of a natural origin of the COVID-19 virus were less than one in 100 million, after analyzing qualitative aspects such as virus features.
"With COVID-19 still in our midst, it is critical that we continue international efforts to uncover additional information regarding the origins of this deadly virus. I hope this report will guide the World Health Organization and other international institutions and researchers as they proceed with planned work to continue investigating the origins of this virus," Burr said.
"Uncovering the answers to this critical question is imperative to our national and international ability to ensure that a pandemic of this size and scope does not happen again."
Visit Pandemic.news to gain more insights about COVID-19.
Watch this video sharing the news about the interim report that says COVID-19 leaked from lab.
This video is from the Midwest Information Network channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
WHO: Chinese researchers fought against evidence connecting COVID-19 origins to Wuhan lab.
Report by House Republicans PROVES that coronavirus leaked from Wuhan lab.
WHO's "investigation" into the Wuhan lab was conducted in part by a CCP advisor, Marion Koopmans.
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