The CIA has updated its assessment, suggesting a lab leak is the most likely origin of COVID-19, despite maintaining low confidence in this conclusion. The evaluation, based on earlier intelligence analysis and not on new evidence, was prompted by the Biden administration and led by new CIA director John Ratcliffe. While lawmakers call for accountability from China, the scientific community remains divided. The CIA states that both lab-related and natural origins remain plausible; however, without Chinese cooperation, the origin of the virus may never be definitively determined.