The Unfolding Pandemic - From the Beginning

Covid19 (2019-nCoV, Coronavirus) started in Wuhan, China at a seafood market.

The timeline below begins to track the development of the outbreak as it unfolds. Since this is an ongoing global situation I am going to post a timeline for each month for as long as it takes. I will also include government initiatives and developments within the timeline for New Zealand and Australia.

The Start:

31 December 2019 – Chinese authorities first notified the office of WHO in China of cases of pneumonia from an unknown cause.

1 January 2020 — Officials close the Huanan seafood market, suspected to be the source of the mystery disease, as some of the patients presenting with the pneumonia-like illness were dealers or vendors at the market.

3 January 2020 — China reports a total of 44 suspected patients with the mystery disease.

7 January 2020 — China identifies new coronavirus as cause of the outbreak. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause varying levels of disease, from common colds to severe fatal diseases. Usually found in animals, some can infect humans and transmit between humans. Both SARS and MERS are caused by a coronavirus.

9 January 2020— China reports first death linked to the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. A 61-year-old male admitted to hospital in Wuhan with several underlying medical conditions.

12 January 2020 — China shares the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, helping countries in testing and tracing any potentially infected people.

13 January 2020 — Thailand reports first imported case of 2019-nCoV. The patient, a 61-year-old woman from Wuhan, did not report visiting the Huanan seafood market.

15 January 2020 — China reports second death linked to 2019-nCoV. The patient was a 69-year-old male with severe myocarditis, abnormal renal function, and severe damage to multiple organ functions.

16 January 2020 — Japan reports another imported case of 2019-nCoV. The Chinese national, a man in his 30s, also did not report visiting the Huanan seafood market.

17 January 2020 — Thailand confirms the second imported case of 2019-nCoV in the country, bringing the total exported cases from China to three.

18-19 January 2020 — Chinese authorities report a spike in 2019-nCoV cases, including first confirmed cases in Shenzhen (1 case) and Beijing (2 cases), bringing the total to 204 confirmed cases. They also report a third death linked to the new coronavirus.

20 January 2020 — South Korea confirms its first case of 2019-nCoV. The patient did not report visiting markets in Wuhan

21 January 2020 — WHO confirms human-to-human transmission of the virus. The total number of cases is now 222, including infections among health-care workers. Chinese authorities have also reported a fourth death.

23 January 2020 — WHO’s director-general decides to not declare the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern yet, as per recommendations by the emergency committee.

The city of Wuhan shuts down public transportation, closing the airport and railway stations as of Thursday morning, in efforts to curb the spread of the 2019-nCoV “until further notice.” Later in the day other cities announce that they will implement lockdowns: Ezhou, Huanggang; Beijing cancels plans for Chinese New Year festivities and closes the Forbidden City. Singapore also confirms its first imported case, while Vietnam confirms two cases.

Biosecurity officials in Australia began screening arrivals on the three weekly flights from Wuhan to Sydney

24 January 2020 — Japan and U.S. each confirm second 2019-nCoV cases, while Nepal confirms the first case of 2019-nCoV in the country. Total confirmed cases in China rise to 830, with 177 in severe condition and 25 deaths, although later in the day, China’s National Health Commission reports 444 new confirmed cases and 16 new deaths in China. This brings the total confirmed cases in the country to 1,287, including 237 cases in severe condition and the total deaths reach 41.

25 January 2020 — The 2019-nCoV reaches more countries. Australia confirms the first case of 2019-nCoV in the continent, with health authorities announcing three more cases later in the day. France confirms three cases, the first in Europe. Malaysia also reports the first four cases, Canada reports its first case. Chinese government reports 688 new cases, bringing the total to 1,975. Cases with severe conditions rise to 324, and deaths to 56 in total. Hong Kong raises its response to 2019-nCoV to the highest level, suspending all flights to and from Wuhan.

Four cases reported in Australia; one from Guanghzou and three who had returned from Wuhan.

26 January 2020 — China reports 769 new confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV, significantly raising the total number of cases globally to 2,801. This includes461 severe cases and 80 deaths.

27 January 2020 — WHO chief travels to Beijing to meet with government and health experts on 2019-nCoV outbreak response. Hong Kong denies entry to visitors with travel history from Hubei Province, China, in the past 14 days. Authorities in Hubei suspend passport application and the provision of exit and entry permits in efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

China’s National Health Commission reports 1,771 new confirmed cases, more than double the cases on 26 January. This brings total confirmed cases in China to 4,515, with 976 severe cases and 106 deaths, and 4,580 total cases globally.

A fifth case reported in Australia who had returned from Wuhan.

28 January 2020 — China agrees for WHO to send in international experts to help increase global understanding of the outbreak and guide response efforts. Number of confirmed cases in China rises to 5,974 with 132 deaths. Confirmed cases globally now total over 6,000.

Ministry of Health in New Zealand creates the National Health Coordination Centre.

29 January 2020 — WHO chief decides to reconvene the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Thursday for advice on whether to declare the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Several countries prepare to repatriate people from Wuhan, and multiple airlines suspend or restrict flights to and from Chinese cities, just as confirmed cases in China continue to rise, now at 7,711. Globally, total confirmed cases are now at 7,816, with 170 deaths. On a positive note, Australian scientists announce they have successfully grown 2019-nCoV in the laboratory, which can be helpful in improving diagnosis of the virus.

A further two cases reported in Australia, one of whom had travelled from Wuhan.

30 January 2020 — WHO Director-General declares the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, noting the potential spread of the virus to countries with weak health systems. The decision comes as more countries outside China report cases of infection, including the Philippines and India. Total confirmed cases in China reach 9,692, with 213 deaths. WHO recommends “2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease” as interim name.

Two more cases reported in Australia

An Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Order was issued by the NZ Government requiring health practitioners to report any suspected cases under the Health Act 1956.

31 January 2020 — More countries are applying border control measures against foreign nationals with recent travel history from China. Confirmed cases in China reach 11,791, with 259 deaths. The U.S. declares the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency domestically. The U.K., Russia, Sweden, and Spain also confirm their first 2019-nCoV cases.

Australian Government announced that foreign nationals returning from China were required to spend 14 days in a third country before being allowed into Australia.

Total cases globally as of 31 January 2020: 9,826 and 213 deaths.

Total cases in Australia: 9

Total cases in New Zealand: 0

(figures from WHO)

Sources:
https://www.devex.com/news/covid-19-a-timeline-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak-96396
https://shorthand.radionz.co.nz/coronavirus-timeline/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_New_Zealand