Noble Prize for Wuhan lab scientists? China bats for accolades as COVID-19 pandemic rages on Photo: Pixabay In February this year, a WHO team looking into the origins of COVID-19 had dismissed the possibility of a 'lab leak' in Wuhan, leading to the spread of the virus. The report determined that the possibility the virus came from a lab was "extremely unlikely," noting there was "no record" of any lab having closely related viruses. Months later, the theory was back under the spotlight, as a series of revelations shook things up. China however is undaunted. While officials continue to deny the allegations, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian went a step further last week, suggesting that the team be awarded a Noble Prize. According to reports, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has also nominated the Wuhan Institute of Virology for its 2021 Outstanding Science and Technology Achievement Prize.