Coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from Chinese laboratory, WHO scientist says

WUHAN, China — The theory that the novel coronavirus initially leaked from a Chinese laboratory into the human population is “extremely unlikely,” a World Health Organization scientist announced Tuesday.

>> Read more trending news

According to The Associated Press, the news came during a press conference in Wuhan, China, where a WHO team has been investigating what sparked the COVID-19 pandemic. The team, which includes scientists from 10 countries, arrived in Wuhan last month and is wrapping up its visit.

Peter Ben Embarek, an expert on animal diseases and food safety for the WHO, said the virus likely was introduced to humans “through an intermediary host” animal, a theory “that will require more studies and more specific, target research.”

The virus also could have been introduced to humans through frozen products, Embarek said.

Since the first confirmed COVID-19 cases arose in Wuhan in December 2019, more than 106.5 million infections and 2.3 million deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has reported more than 27 million coronavirus cases and 465,000 deaths.

Read more here.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More coronavirus pandemic coverage:

>> Coronavirus vaccines: CDC separates myths from facts

>> Coronavirus: Should we be wearing two masks when we go out in public?

>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?

>> What are your chances of coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19? This tool will tell you

>> Wash your masks: How to clean a cloth face covering

>> Fact check: Will masks lower the oxygen level, raise the carbon dioxide in your blood?

>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does

Cox Media Group