The COVID -19 virus most likely leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, according to the US Energy Department.

In a report seen by the Wall Street Journal, the US agency said the virus was not being engineered as part of a weapons program.

An updated report, which was recently given to the White House and members of Congress, marks a change in the department’s position on how the virus emerged. Previously, it had said it was “undecided” on how COVID came about.

Along with the Energy Department, the FBI also believes a lab leak is the most likely source of the virus, however the department added that it was making this judgement with “low confidence” compared to the FBI which reached its conclusion with “moderate confidence” in 2021.

Four other US agencies still say it was likely the result of natural transmission.

Around the world their have been conflicting theories about whether the virus emerged naturally or came out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.