The synthetic strain would be used in studies where patients are purposely infected to test a vaccine's efficacy.
Research team took saliva, blood, and stool samples from the bats before releasing them.
More than a quarter of a million people in Beirut were left with homes unfit to live in after the massive explosion.
Some drugs and treatments have shown promise in clinical trials, while others are drawing controversy.
More than 10.64 million of infected persons have recovered; Expert warns COVID-19 'extraordinarily widespread' in US.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says effect of coronavirus will be felt for decades to come.