China denies allegations that coronavirus originated in a lab in Wuhan

April 20: A laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan is in the eye of a storm for allegedly being the source of the novel coronavirus. However, China is rejecting allegations that the coronavirus pandemic may have originated in a laboratory near the city of Wuhan where contagious samples were being stored. It is the first time anyone from the institute has spoken publicly.

Ever since the virus came to light in Wuhan in December last year, speculation has been rife on whether the viral strain originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) or from its nearby Huanan Seafood Market.

Yuan Zhiming, vice director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, told Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, that this was a “conspiracy theory” designed to “confuse” people. He also denied the virus was manmade. Yuan’s denial came days after a fresh round of reports suggesting the novel coronavirus escaped from the Wuhan Institute or another similar laboratory miles away in the Chinese city.

“As people who carry out viral studies we clearly know what kind of research is going on at the institute and how the institute manages viruses and samples,” Yuan said. He said that since the lab is in Wuhan “people can’t help but make associations”, but claimed that some media outlets are “deliberately trying to mislead people”.

China has also strongly denied claims it delayed reporting on the virus outbreak in Wuhan late last year and underreported case numbers, worsening the impact on the U.S. and other countries. The virus is widely believed to have originated with bats and have passed via another animal species to humans at a wildlife and seafood market in Wuhan, although a firm determination has yet to be made.