Does Lightroom CC keep Apple Photos in HEIC format or convert to JPG

When Lightroom CC imports a HEIC photo from Apple, does it immediately convert it to JPG, or does it treat it like a RAW file, where it applies the edits and makes the conversion and saves/compresses the file when the file is exported?

Converting it to JPG upon import then saving it a second time when exported adds a second compression step where data can be lost.

When traveling light, I shoot in HEIC with my iPhone because the files come out great and usually need very little editing. If by chance, they do like I want to remove something from the photo, I'm curious how LR CC handles the conversion. Thanks.