On Thursday, the panel of specialists drafted by the WHO to investigate the pandemic’s roots and prepare a framework to investigate future outbreaks issued its first report.
The panel declared that the 44-page document “should be read as a work in progress,” the panel declared.
Although their findings - that COVID probably started from bats, yet that a lab leak cannot be ruled out - will be seized upon.
WATCH: THE AG'S RAN ON "GETTING" TRUMP
The panel, set up in October, comprises 26 specialists from around the world and is called the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO).
Its work comes after a previous WHO-China report on COVID-19, and a U.S. intelligence inquiry, both of which pointed towards a natural origin for the pandemic, probably from bats, rather than a lab leak.
WATCH: THE TIMING OF TRUMP'S TRIAL, WHY NOW?
The new report says a zoonotic origin is the most likely explanation for the emergence of the novel Coronavirus.
The first human cases were reported in December 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
SECURITY IN OVERDRIVE: HOME DEPOT'S UNCONVENTIONAL RESPONSE TO NEW YORK'S CRIME CRISIS
Although, it states that neither the original animal source, the intermediate host, nor the moment the virus crossed over into humans has been identified.
WHO'S UP NEXT? BALTIMORE MAYOR NEXT TO PLAY IDENTITY POLITICS...
That is chiefly because a lot of data is missing, the report states, especially from China.
Chinese scientists had given more information, including blood samples from 40,000 Chinese donors in Wuhan from September to December 2019, when the pandemic exploded.
Of these, over 200 samples initially tested positive for Sars-CoV-2 antibodies, the virus causing COVID-19, yet confirmatory tests were negative, the Chinese scientists stated.
The WHO has asked for more information on this and on other elements.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SMASHING WINDOW TO INVADE THIS MAYOR'S HOME
The panel further announced that no further information had been given on whether the Coronavirus may have reached humans through a laboratory incident, meaning more data and investigations is still important.
WHITE HOUSE WEIGHING GAME-CHANGING SHIFT IN IMMIGRATION POLICY
It called for several studies to be carried out both in China and globally to shed further light on the pandemic’s roots.
These include additional studies on the first human cases in China and attempts to trace whether the virus was circulating in China - and elsewhere - before the first cases were found.
THREAT OR PROMISE? DEMOCRATIC HOPEFUL'S CONTROVERSIAL MESSAGE: "DIE MAGA DIE"
Further work on possible animal hosts, especially bats, as well as on farm workers and animal products that were in the Wuhan market - identified early on as a potential spillover site - were key, the WHO said.
The WHO states the main aims of the SAGO panel are to draw up a framework for investigating future outbreaks more effectively.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
