The most prominent stages of the spread of the new Corona virus

The number of deaths reached 563, including one death in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines, and more than 28,000 injuries. Thus, the number of deaths in mainland China due to the Corona virus exceeded more than that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which caused 349 deaths in 2002 and 2003. The new virus has spread to 24 other countries.

First warning

On December 8, health authorities in Wuhan, the industrial city and the capital of Hubei Province, detected the first case of the new virus. The World Health Organization issued the first warning on December 31, 2019. Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities announced the emergence of cases of acute pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, which has a population of 11 million. The virus was detected in a market selling seafood and fish wholesale. Procedures were taken to isolate the injured. On January 7, 2020, first analyzes of the virus strain conducted by Chinese medical teams made it possible to detect an emerging corona virus, according to the World Health Organization.

The first death

On January 11, the Chinese authorities announced the first death from the epidemic. Two days later, the first infection outside China was reported, in Thailand. On January 16, Japan announced the first infection of a person who had come from Wuhan. In the following days, injuries were recorded in the United States, Nepal, France, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. On the 17th of the same month, the United States also began conducting checks at several large airports for passengers on board aircraft coming from Wuhan. And Asian countries followed suit.

“Confirmed” human infection

On January 20, a Chinese expert confirmed that the disease can be transmitted from one person to another. Nearly half of the Chinese provinces have been affected by the epidemic, as well as large cities such as Beijing in the north, Shanghai in the east, and Shenzhen in the south. On the 21st of the same month, a virus infection was recorded in the United States.

Possible mutation of the virus

On January 22, the Chinese authorities warned that the new Chinese virus, which is transmitted through the respiratory system, “could mutate and spread more easily.” In Europe, London and Rome announced the introduction of control measures for passengers coming from Wuhan. The wearing of face masks has become mandatory in public places in Wuhan.

Wuhan is cut off from the world

On the 23rd of the same month, trains and planes in Wuhan could no longer leave the city and highways were closed. Several other cities in Hubei Province became cut off from the world. The Forbidden City, which housed the old imperial palace, was declared closed after New Year’s celebrations in Beijing were canceled. The World Health Organization considered the virus to be an emergency in China, but not at the global level. On January 24, the first cases were recorded in Europe, specifically in France.

56 million reservations

On January 25, Beijing ordered measures to screen for potential infections in transportation. The entire state of Hubei has been cut off from the world and now includes more than 56 million people. On the 26th, Beijing suspended organized trips and abroad. And the Chinese New Year vacation has been extended until February 2. On the 27th, Germany and the United States recommended that their citizens not travel to China. On 28, two cases of the virus were confirmed outside China, in Japan and Germany.

Bring back the nationals

On January 29, Japan and the United States became the first countries to transfer their nationals from Wuhan. Airlines suspended flights with mainland China, while others reduced the number of flights. And the United States began developing vaccines.

Also in 29 cases, more than SARS cases. Cases have emerged in the Middle East and the UAE.

‘An international emergency’

On January 30, France announced a sixth case, the first in Europe. While Russia decided to close its borders with China. The World Health Organization declared the epidemic a “public health emergency in the world,” saying that there is no need to limit travel and trade exchange with China.

Researchers are making progress

On the 31st, France, Britain and South Korea returned their subjects. Italy declared a state of emergency. The European Union has allocated 10 million euros for research. After Chinese and Australian scientists, the Pasteur Institute has successfully conducted tests aimed at developing a vaccine and treatment. On February 1, the United States announced a ban on entry to foreigners who had recently traveled to China, in a move followed by other countries.

The first death outside China

On February 2, China closed down the city of Wenzhou (9 million people). And the Health Organization announced the first death outside the country in the Philippines, and the deceased is a Chinese from Wuhan. The Chinese central bank announced that it will inject 1,200 billion yuan (156 billion euros) to support the Chinese economy affected by the epidemic. On February 4, Hong Kong announced the death of a person with the virus, the second death outside mainland China. Singapore also announced the first injuries that did not come from China, and Macau announced the closure of casinos for two weeks. The World Health Organization said that the virus was not yet a “global epidemic.” Beijing accused Washington of “spreading panic” after foreigners who visited China were prevented from entering its territory. Other countries applied this decision, as well as on cruise cruises. While China announced later that it was in “urgent” need of protective masks.

Casualties on board a cruise ship

On February 5, Hong Kong imposed a mandatory two-week quarantine on all travelers from China. And the authorities asked millions of citizens in mainland China to stay indoors. And 20 people were confirmed infected on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan, with about 3,700 people on board. Airbus announced the suspension of the assembly line in Tianjin, near Beijing, while Vietnam joined the country that prevents travelers from arriving from China.