Paris - A timeline charting the global rampage of the pandemic, which has left tens of thousands of people dead.
Published: Tue 7 Apr 2020, 12:00 AM
Updated: Thu 9 Apr 2020, 2:25 AM
Tuesday, April 8, 2020 marked 100 days since the World Health Organisation (WHO) was made aware of a mystery disease in China which saw a clutch of people fall ill in the city of Wuhan on December 31 last year.
But what has happened since then and what do we know about Covid-19?
- What is Covid-19?:
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness in humans and animals.
Seven different types have been discovered in humans, including those responsible for Covid-19 and the Sars and Mers epidemics.
It is understood that the current virus is more contagious than Sars, according to research, with one person infecting around three others.
Coronaviruses cause intestinal and respiratory illnesses in humans and animals.
Here are the developments since the novel coronavirus was announced over three months ago, setting out on a global rampage which has left tens of thousands of people dead:
- December 31, 2019:
The outbreak of a mystery respiratory illness in the central Chinese city of Wuhan leaves 27 people with viral pneumonia - seven of whom are in a serious condition in hospital. There are early comparisons with the Sars outbreak of late 2002, however officials say the cause is uncertain and urge people not to panic. The WHO is informed.
- January 3 2020:
The number of confirmed cases increases to 44, most of which have been traced to the South China Seafood City food market in Wuhan, where products are reported to include wild animals that carry viruses dangerous to humans.
- New virus -
- January 8, 2020:
The World Health Organization (WHO) says a new coronavirus could be behind a pneumonia epidemic documented in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
- January 11, 2020:
China announces its first death in Wuhan, that of a 61-year-old man with "severe underlying health issues".
Through January, cases emerge outside China.
- January 17, 2020:
The US announces it will begin screening passengers at Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City's John F Kennedy airports arriving on flights from Wuhan.
- January 20, 2020:
New cases are reported in Beijing and Shenzhen, as the death toll rises to three. Officials in Thailand and Japan confirm at least three cases, all involving recent travel from China.
- January 22, 2020:
Wuhan goes into travel lockdown, with outbound flights and trains stopped, and bus routes closed in a bid to curb the virus's spread. The death toll stands at 17.
- Epicentre quarantined -
- January 24, 2020:
The first cases in Europe are recorded, in France.
- January 25, 2020:
Hubei province follows Wuhan in being placed in quarantine. The Chinese government announces construction of a pop-up hospital to deal the surge in cases.. In the UK, Mr Hancock chairs a Cobra meeting on the Government's planned response to the virus. Afterwards, he reiterates to reporters on Whitehall that the threat to the UK is "low".
- International emergency -
- January 28, 2020:
Germany and Japan announce the first two confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 outside China. Nations rush to evacuate their citizens from China.
- January 30, 2020:
The WHO declares a "public health emergency of international concern", without recommending limiting travel and trade with China.
- First deaths outside China, Asia -
- February 2, 2020:
The Philippines reports the first death outside China, a man from Wuhan.
- February 3, 2020:
Scientists identify bats are the potential source of coronavirus.
- February 7, 2020:
The WHO warns that the world is running out of masks and other protective equipment.
- February 14, 2020:
France reports the first death confirmed outside Asia, a Chinese tourist.
- February 19, 2020:
The toll tops 2,000, the WHO calls for "proportionate" actions to COVID-19's international spread.
- Serial cancellations -
Major global firms express concerns about the sudden impact on their activities and bottom lines.
Trade shows, sporting competitions, arts events and festivities are cancelled. Flights to China are suspended.
- Most cases outside China -
The number of cases spirals in Italy, South Korea and Iran.
- February 25, 2020:
The WHO says there is a risk of a pandemic. The next day the number of new cases in the rest of the world surpasses that of China.
- Italy lockdown -
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers its global growth forecast for 2020.
- March 6, 2020:
More than 100,000 cases have been recorded around the world.
- March 8, 2020:
Northern Italy is locked down, quickly followed by the rest of the country.
The next day a crash in oil prices causes global stock markets to fall sharply.
- 'Pandemic' -
- March 11, 2020:
The WHO says COVID-19 is a pandemic.
US borders gradually close to around 30 countries.
Governments and central banks roll out massive economic support measures.
- Europe epicentre -
- March 13, 2020:
The WHO says Europe is the pandemic's new epicentre.
Spain on March 14 and France on March 17 confine their populations.
Other European countries advise people to stay home and limit contact.
- Planes grounded, borders closed -
Airlines slash flights. Many countries shut their borders.
- March 18, 2020:
More than 200,000 cases have been registered.
- Italy hardest hit -
- March 19, 2020:
Italy becomes the country with the highest death toll.
A long list of countries and territories announce confinement measures.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns against a worse recession than the one that followed the 2008 world financial crisis.
- Billions confined -
- March 24, 2020:
Japan's 2020 Olympics are postponed.
- March 25, 2020:
Britain's Prince of Wales tests positive for coronavirus but is displaying only "mild symptoms", Clarence House says.
As the number of US cases surges, the WHO says the US could overtake Europe as the coronavirus epicentre.
A day later, the UN warns the pandemic "is threatening the whole of humanity".
The US Senate approves a $2-trillion (Dh7.35tr) economic stimulus package.
More than three billion people are told to stay home around the world, against a billion two days earlier.
- Wuhan out of isolation -
- March 27, 2020:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive for Covid-19, while chief medical officer Chris Whitty says he has symptoms of the disease and is self-isolating.
- March 28, 2020:
China's Wuhan starts to emerge from lockdown, Italy passes the 10,000 death mark, joined by Spain five days later.
- April 2, 2020:
The symbolic bar of one million officially declared cases is passed, while one half of humanity is confined. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson says he is "still showing symptoms" of Covid-19.
Chinese authorities ease lockdown measures on Wuhan, enabling many to leave their homes for the first time in months.
- April 5, 2020:
The British Queen addresses the national in a historic television broadcast, invoking themes of the Second World War by announcing: "We will meet again." An hour later, it is revealed that Boris Johnson is admitted to hospital for tests as his symptoms persist.
- April 6, 2020:
Boris Johnson goes into intensive care as his coronavirus symptoms worsen, prompting world leaders galore to send him messages of support.
- April 7, 2020:
At least 80,142 people have died around the world in 192 countries, since the virus emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally around 11pm UAE Tuesday based on official sources.
The pandemic has killed more 57,351 people in Europe, including 17,127 in Italy and 13,798 in Spain. There are 12,021 deaths in the United States, 10,328 in France and 6,159 in Britain.
The United States have at least 383,256 confirmed infections, the highest caseload in the world.
More than 1.39 million cases have been officially recorded around the world, a toll that represents only a fraction of the actual number of infections.
In the UK, Boris Johnson is said to be stable and in good spirits in hospital, although he remains in intensive care.
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