EXCLUSIVE UPDATE: More on Report of New COVID-19 Lab Leak at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai

 

Update: More on the Reported COVID-19 Lab Leak at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

This morning we shared a report from Col. and PhD Lawrence Sellin about a reported leak in China of COVID-19.

We have additional information coming out of China related to this reported incident.  One text message we obtained translated to English is as follows:

On November 12, in the afternoon, there were East China University of Science and Technology students who shared on the Internet that the school had a team carrying out “using e. coli expression system preparation, nuclear capsid protein N end truncation” research.  Then last night, a student tested positive (because of the need to go to the hospital) for nucleic acid detection or was positive for the second time in a week. According to the requirements of DISEASE control: the laboratory on the 18th floor of the laboratory building will be managed: no entry or exit. We will inform you of the follow-up arrangements after sampling and disinfection is completed. Students who are in the lab please scan code to join the group, those who have not gone to the lab please wait in the dormitory. Don’t go to the lab for a while.

Another translated message is as follows:

On the morning of November 13, a staff member of the publicity Department of East China University of Science and Technology replied to a reporter from Jimu News. At present, due to the situation, relevant teachers and leaders of the university are having a meeting to discuss the matter. The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention is also dealing with the situation. A reporter from Jimu News noted that there were no new local CASES of COVID-19 in Shanghai according to the city’s official notification of the epidemic at around 8 o ‘clock on The 13th.

In response to netizens’ concerns about the east China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), CCTV later released information that “Shanghai News Release” said, “Shanghai has conducted checks on relevant personnel and the environment in accordance with relevant prevention and control regulations and requirements, and no locally confirmed COVID-19 cases have been found.”