"I believe that the novel coronavirus is not a technical invention by man. Analysis of all the genomes shows that it is a product, the result of classical viral evolution in nature", Maksyutov said in a televised appearance on the state broadcaster Rossiya-1.
Vector Chief Says Novel Coronavirus Undoubtedly of Natural Origin
© Sputnik / Kirill Braga
/ He went on to say there are many coronaviruses similar to SARS-Cov 2 that circulate in nature but do not infect humans, which further cements the conclusion that the virus evolved naturally.
Conspiracy theories about the origin of the coronavirus behind the pandemic have been around ever since the first outbreak in Wuhan, China, late last year. These theories have largely been dismissed by the scientific community.