U.S. Intelligence: Origins of Covid-19 remain unclear, not a bio-weapon
Published Date: 8/27/2021
Source: CNBC Television
CNBC's Eamon Javers joins Closing Bell with information from Washington regarding the release of a new U.S. intelligence report on Covid-19's origins. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: https://cnb.cx/2NGeIvi The U.S. intelligence community said that it was divided over the exact origin of Covid-19 in China, a revelation that comes three months after President Joe Biden requested a more in-depth review. One intelligence agency said it assessed with moderate confidence that the virus infected humans after an incident related to a lab, according to the report, which was released Friday afternoon. Four agencies said they reached low confidence assessments that the virus had a natural origin. The report did not name the agencies. “After examining all available intelligence reporting and other information, though, the IC remains divided on the most likely origin of Covid-19. All agencies assess that two hypotheses are plausible: natural exposure to an infected animal and a laboratory-associated incident,” the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies wrote in the report. The report, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, found that the virus was not developed as a biological weapon. The intelligence community also assessed that Chinese officials did not have foreknowledge of the virus before the initial outbreak that triggered a global pandemic. The report said the intelligence community wouldn’t be able to make a more definitive conclusion unless it receives more information. Biden, in a statement following the report’s release, said the U.S. and its allies would continue to pressure China into revealing more about what happened when Covid first started to spread. “Critical information about the origins of this pandemic exists in the People’s Republic of China, yet from the beginning, government officials in China have worked to prevent international investigators and members of the global public health community from accessing it,” Biden said. “The world deserves answers, and I will not rest until we get them,” the president added. » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC Classic: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide. The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/the-news-with-shepard-smith-podcast.html?__source=youtube%7Cshepsmith%7Cpodcast Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: http://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-credit-cards/ #CNBC #CNBCTV