>>7929925 PB
"i think it was an accidental release. its no coincidence that the only high level bio lab in china is in wuhan province."
Agree about the accidental release. Their first cases were early December (Lancet article) and seems there was no public health interventions until January. Plenty time for it to spread in a large, populated city and beyond. Some of any data manipulation by their authorities likely to be self preservation IMHO.
It is also important to note that the genome is published and a diagnostic test available, so early diagnosis and isolation with contact tracing possible and likely ongoing in the US cases we are hearing about. Low case numbers make it much easier to control any outbreak. China missed that opportunity.