No definitive conclusion on COVID-19 origin theory: White House

The U.S. Government is still looking at the COVID-19 pandemic’s origin, which has been the subject of vigorous debate among academics, intelligence experts and lawmakers

There is no definitive conclusion that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from a lab in China, the White House has said.

The U.S. Government is still looking at the pandemic’s origin, which has been the subject of vigorous debate among academics, intelligence experts and lawmakers.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby’s remarks came following a report that the U.S. Energy Department has concluded the virus most likely leaked from a lab in China.

Also read: COVID origin | WHO says it’s unclear but lab leak theory needs study

The Wall Street Journal on Feb. 26, citing a classified intelligence report recently provided to the White House and key members of Congress, said the virus that drove the COVID-19 pandemic, killing close to 7 million people globally, most likely emerged from a laboratory leak in China.

Responding to questions about the report, Mr. Kirby said, “The intelligence community and the rest of the government are still looking at this. There’s not been a definitive conclusion, so it’s difficult for me to say, nor should I feel like I should have to defend press reporting about a possible preliminary indication here.

“What the President [Joe Biden] wants is facts. He wants the whole government designed to go get those facts, and that’s what we’re doing. And we’re just not there yet,” Mr. Kirby told reporters at a daily White House news conference on Feb. 27.