Fact check: Coronavirus most likely originated in natural wildlife populations before spreading to humans, says report

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly claimed that COVID-19 was made in a Wuhan laboratory.

The coronavirus COVID-19 most likely originated in natural wildlife populations before spreading to humans, according to fact-checking website Science Feedback.

"Although the exact origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains unknown, previous claims that the virus contained artificial elements or that it had been patented were debunked," according to a report.

"The virus most likely originated in nature, probably in bats, according to the genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and other animal coronaviruses," stated the report.

Earlier on September 14, Chinese virologist Dr Li-Meng Yan had claimed that COVID-19 was made in a Wuhan laboratory. Yan, who was associated with the Hong Kong School of Public Health, had been researching on the coronavirus for a long time. The Chinese virologist claimed that during her research she came across that coronavirus was developed in a laboratory in China.