The Timeline of COVID-19: From Origins to Global Pandemic

This timeline provides information about select moments in the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and around the world beginning from its known origins in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The Defense Department is responding to every development in the COVID-19 pandemic and remains focused on protecting our people, as the outbreak of the virus has sickened more than 80 million people and caused at least 1.7 million deaths worldwide.

On December 31, 2019, China reported a cluster of cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province, which were later identified as a novel coronavirus. The following day, on January 1, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of the outbreak. As the virus continued to spread, on March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The rapid spread of the virus led to widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and economic turmoil around the world. Countries scrambled to implement measures to slow the spread of the virus and protect their citizens. The United States was hit particularly hard, with millions of cases and thousands of deaths reported.

As the year unfolded, the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and healthcare systems became increasingly apparent. The debate over immigration policies, such as Title 42, added another layer of complexity to the pandemic response. Meanwhile, companies like Nike faced challenges and opportunities as they navigated the new normal of remote work and online shopping.

Throughout it all, healthcare workers and frontline workers heroically battled the virus, risking their own health to save others. The development of vaccines brought hope for a return to normalcy, but challenges remained in distributing the vaccines equitably and efficiently.

As we look back on the timeline of COVID-19, we see a story of resilience, sacrifice, and adaptation in the face of a global crisis. The lessons learned from this pandemic will shape our response to future health emergencies and guide us in building a more resilient and prepared world.