Work by the lab's scientists helped to shed light on the Covid-19 pathogen in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan. The Wuhan institute houses the largest virus bank in Asia which preserves more than 1,500 strains. The 300-million-yuan ($42 million) P4 lab opened in 2018. Shi Zhengli, one of China's leading experts on bat coronaviruses and deputy director of the Wuhan P4 lab, said she would "bet her life that (the new coronavirus) had nothing to do with the lab", according to Chinese state media. Researchers have noted that while there is no proof for the lab accident theory, there is also no clear evidence that the virus came from the Wuhan market.

Source: Daily Nation May 06, 2020 05:03 UTC