VirusTimeline.com | COVID-19 Pandemic Timeline

December 1, 2019

First Potential Cases

Later analysis suggests the first human infections may have occurred around this date in Wuhan, China.

Some researchers claim the virus may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though most evidence suggests zoonotic origin. Nature article

Origin

December 31, 2019

First Cases Reported

China reports cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, Hubei province to WHO. The cause is unknown at this time.

WHO report

Outbreak

January 7, 2020

Virus Identified

Chinese authorities identify a novel coronavirus (later named SARS-CoV-2) as the cause of the pneumonia cases.

Some claim China knew about human-to-human transmission earlier but withheld information. Reuters investigation

Discovery

January 25, 2020

Chinese New Year

Millions travel for Lunar New Year celebrations, potentially accelerating spread. Wuhan lockdown begins January 23.

Travel

January 30, 2020

Public Health Emergency

WHO declares the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

WHO Global

February 11, 2020

COVID-19 Named

WHO names the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).

Naming

February 28, 2020

Trump Downplays Virus

President Trump calls COVID-19 the Democrats' "new hoax" at a campaign rally in South Carolina.

Washington Post analysis

Politics

March 11, 2020

Pandemic Declared

WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic as cases surge globally. Italy imposes nationwide lockdown.

Pandemic Lockdown

March 13, 2020

US Emergency Declaration

US President Donald Trump declares a national emergency, freeing up $50 billion in federal aid.

USA

March 19, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine Hype

Trump promotes hydroxychloroquine as potential "game changer" despite limited evidence.

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, was widely used early in pandemic despite later studies showing limited effectiveness against COVID-19. NIH halts trial

Some claimed Big Pharma was suppressing hydroxychloroquine because it was cheap and effective, despite scientific evidence to the contrary.

Treatment

March 24, 2020

Tokyo Olympics Postponed

For the first time in modern history, the Olympic Games are postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic.

Sports

April 2, 2020

Global Cases Surpass 1 Million

The world reaches a grim milestone with over 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide.

Milestone

April 23, 2020

Bleach Injection Controversy

Trump suggests investigating whether disinfectants could be injected to treat COVID-19, causing widespread alarm.

Some supporters claimed Trump's comments were taken out of context or that he was joking, despite serious tone. FactCheck.org analysis

Controversy

May 1, 2020

Operation Warp Speed

Trump administration launches Operation Warp Speed to accelerate vaccine development.

Vaccine

July 4, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine Papers Retracted

Lancet and NEJM retract influential hydroxychloroquine studies due to questionable data from Surgisphere.

Some claimed the retractions proved hydroxychloroquine worked all along and was being suppressed. Science Magazine report

Science

October 2, 2020

Trump Tests Positive

President Trump announces he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.

Trump received experimental antibody treatment (Regeneron), remdesivir, dexamethasone, zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and aspirin during his treatment at Walter Reed.

Politics

December 8, 2020

First Vaccinations

The UK becomes the first country to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside clinical trials.

Anti-vaccine activists claim the rapid development meant safety was compromised, despite rigorous testing protocols. NY Times report

Vaccine Hope

January 20, 2021

Global Deaths Pass 2 Million

The world mourns as COVID-19 deaths surpass 2 million, despite vaccination efforts beginning in many countries.

Tragedy

March 11, 2021

US Stimulus Package

US President Biden signs $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, providing direct payments to Americans.

Economy

July 4, 2021

Ivermectin Controversy

Interest surges in ivermectin as alternative treatment despite lack of strong evidence for COVID-19.

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, became popular among some groups despite major health organizations recommending against its use for COVID-19 outside clinical trials. FDA warning

Some claimed ivermectin was being suppressed because it was cheap and effective, similar to earlier hydroxychloroquine claims.

Controversy

May 5, 2023

WHO Declares End of Emergency

WHO declares that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

Recovery Global