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The next day, Zhang’s lab was ordered to close temporarily by China’s top health official, and Zhang came under pressure by Chinese authorities.Foreign scientists soon learned that Zhang and other Chinese scientists had deciphered the virus and called on China to release the sequence.Zhang published it on January 11, 2020, despite a lack of permission from Chinese health officials.Sequencing a virus is key to the development of test kits, disease control measures and vaccinations.The virus eventually spread to every corner of the world, triggering a pandemic that disrupted lives and commerce, prompted widespread lockdowns and killed millions of people.Zhang was awarded prizes overseas in recognition for his work.But Chinese health officials removed Zhang from a post at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and barred him from collaborating with some of his former partners, hindering his research.Still, Zhang retains support from some in the government.Though some of Zhang’s online posts were deleted, his sit-in protest was reported widely in China’s state-controlled media, indicating divisions within the Chinese government on how to deal with Zhang and his team.”Thank you to my online followers and people from all walks of life for your concern and strong support over the past few days!” Zhang wrote in his post on Wednesday.
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Chinese scientist who published COVID-19 virus sequence allowed back to lab after protest
