Meanwhile, another study published by more than 20 scientists in Cell, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, said no epidemic has been caused by the escape of a novel virus, and there is no data to suggest the Wuhan Institute of Virology or any other lab was working on COVID-19.

The White House on Friday morning launched a new website championing the theory that the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 was a manmade pathogen that leaked from an infectious disease laboratory in Wuhan,

The Trump administration has doubled down on the lab-leak theory of COVID-19's origins, publishing an in-depth statement Friday accusing public health officials and intelligence agencies of suppressing the theory for political purposes.