"According to the current research conclusion of this joint research team, Huanan market may not be the first place that had the outbreak. It is not the place that witnessed the earliest case either, as ... the onset date of the earliest case in this joint research was December 8, 2019, and the earliest confirmed case that has association with the Huanan seafood market was December 12. Actually, according to our research from the epidemiological group, the case with the onset date on December 8 has no relationship or association with the Huanan seafood market," Liang said at a press conference of experts investigating the COVID-19 origins.