With coronavirus cases around the world now at over 47 million, many scientists have been working to understand how the virus spread so quickly.
Now, researchers from the University of Huddersfield and the University of Minho claim that Europe was the main cause for the global spread of the virus, and not China.
In the study, the researchers mapped the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, focusing on 27,000 virus genomes, sampled from around the world.
The findings confirm that the virus originated in China, and most likely jumped into humans from bats.
However, the analysis indicates that it is Europe, not China, which has been the main source for spreading the disease around the world.
Worryingly, the research also suggests that travel restrictions across the UK and Europe seem to have been too little too late, and that the actual spread of the virus to the USA and other parts of the world was largely via Europe.
The analysis is one of the largest every undertaken, and the scientists are trying to make their work available to the public as fast as possible.
Dr Maria Pala, an author of the study, said: “With thousands of lives still at risk, the need for scientific research is now more crucial than ever.”
The study comes shortly before England goes into its second lockdown, lasting at least four weeks.
The lockdown means that pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will have to close, although schools, colleges and universities can stay open.
The lockdown will last until at least 2 December, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson said: "Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different, but it's my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together."
