Top officials at the Wuhan Institute of Virology insist the facility is adhering to the strictest protocols and that the lab is safe from any virus escaping, according to The South China Morning Post.
The report comes amid claims that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 actually escaped from the lab and caused the pandemic that has killed at least 280,000 people worldwide and wrecked the global economy.
The Wuhan facility contains a level 4 laboratory — the highest level of biosecurity — and is able to study such infectious viruses as Ebola and West African Lassa.
Despite theories that the Wuhan lab may have engineered the virus, scientists have said it is naturally occurring. President Donald Trump has said he has seen evidence that the virus may have accidentally escaped the lab.
Yuan Zhiming, director of the Wuhan lab, told Science and Technology Daily on Sunday, the lab has adopted measures to ensure no virus can leave.
Procedures include having researchers passing annual physical and psychological health evaluations and having all who enter the lab have normal blood pressure and body temperature. They must also sign a registry when entering or leaving and cannot enter alone.
All protective clothing is disinfected and washed after leaving the lab.
As for the facility itself, waste air is filtered twice and waste water is sent through a sewage treatment plant and high temperature system, according to the report. Other contaminated waste must be treated and disposed by by companies licensed to handle medical waste.
Lab equipment then undergoes annual inspection by third-parties, according to the director.
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