If it was an intended bioweapon, why release it near in a hotbed research area with a ridiculous cover story (unless the origin is really another location, and you want to implicate CCP or obfuscate the real origin).
Just another possibility.
Behavior of the regulators in investigating it is another area to consider.
Article narrative, "CCP Authoritarian Response to Evil Covaids Is Good For Your Health; Xi Man Good"