The Department of Energy now joins the Federal Bureau of Investigation in believing that the pandemic, which has left nearly seven million people dead, was the result of a mishap in a Chinese laboratory.
The determination — noted in a classified report by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines's office, The Wall Street Journal reported — marks a shift by the Energy department, which had previously said it was undecided on how the virus emerged.
The conclusion, reportedly the result of new intelligence, is nevertheless significant because the department oversees a network of national laboratories, including some that do advanced biological research. Four US intelligence agencies believe Covid-19 occurred through natural transmission, while two others remain undecided, the Journal reported.
"Right now, there is not a definitive answer that has emerged from the intelligence community on this question," he told CNN Sunday.
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