COVID-19 'Most Likely' Leaked from Chinese Lab, Says Senate GOP Report

The COVID-19 pandemic likely began with a laboratory leak in China, according to a new report from Senate Republicans.

Key Quotes: "The hypothesis of a natural zoonotic origin no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt, or the presumption of accuracy," the report states. "Based on the analysis of the publicly available information, it appears reasonable to conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic was, more likely than not, the result of a research-related incident."

For Context: The pandemic's origin has been the subject of debate for more than two years. Some scientists have concluded that the most likely genesis was an animal-to-human infection at an animal market in Wuhan. Others maintain that a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology remains most likely. So far, neither theory has been supported by conclusive evidence. China denies wrongdoing and its government has obstructed investigations into China's potential role in the pandemic's beginnings.

How the Media Covered It: Left-rated news sources typically downplay the lab leak theory, while right-rated outlets tend to frame it as more likely. That divide continued in coverage of the Senate GOP report. The New York Times said the report "offered little new evidence" and highlighted how only one Senate Republican signed off on it. Right-rated sources focused more on the evidence presented, including how the report found that the lab "procured several pieces of equipment leading up to the pandemic that suggests it had problems containing aerosolized viruses."