COVID-19 Timeline

By Hassan ElSirgany
  • First patient with symptoms of coronavirus found in China

    First patient with symptoms of coronavirus found in China

  • Period: to

    The virus infects people at a rapid pace

  • China alerts WHO about several similar pneumonia cases

    China alerts WHO about several similar pneumonia cases

  • Identification of the virus COVID-19

    Identification of the virus COVID-19

  • First death recorded in China

    First death recorded in China

  • First case outside of China found in Thailand

    First case outside of China found in Thailand

  • Wuhan goes into quarantine

    Wuhan goes into quarantine

  • Period: to

    The virus develops, infecting people at an even faster pace.

    During this period, the virus infects 60,000 per day and reached a total of 750,000 infected.
  • The world goes into lockdown

    The world goes into lockdown

  • Schools go online

    Schools go online

    Due to the lockdown order, schools used applications such as Zoom, MS Teams, and Google Classroom to continue classes.
  • The virus reaches 1 million cases and 50,000 deaths.

    The virus reaches 1 million cases and 50,000 deaths.

  • U.S becomes hotspot for virus

    U.S becomes hotspot for virus

    With over 18,600 confirmed deaths and more than 500,000 confirmed cases in under four months, the U.S. is the country with the most reported COVID-19 cases and deaths.
  • Unemployment rates skyrocket as a result of the virus.

    Unemployment rates skyrocket as a result of the virus.

    The unemployment rate in the U.S. is 14.7%— the highest since the Great Depression. With 20.5 million people out of work, the hospitality, leisure, and healthcare industries take the greatest hits overall, affecting essential workers, people with lower incomes, and racial and ethnic minority workers disproportionally.

  • ACIP recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for all adolescents ages 12–15 years.

  • Death tolls in U.S reach 100,000

    Death tolls in U.S reach 100,000

  • The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpasses 3 million.

  • The first documented case of COVID-19 reinfection is confirmed by the University of Hong Kong.

    The first documented case of COVID-19 reinfection is confirmed by the University of Hong Kong.

  • Death toll reaches 1 million worldwide

    Death toll reaches 1 million worldwide

  • One day after the presidential election, the U.S. reports 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours.

  • Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is found to be 95% effective in their 44,000-person trial.

    Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is found to be 95% effective in their 44,000-person trial.

  • The first case of the COVID-19 “Alpha” variant is detected in the U.S. by the Colorado Department of Health.

    The first case of the COVID-19 “Alpha” variant is detected in the U.S. by the Colorado Department of Health.

  • The number of recorded COVID-19 cases worldwide surpasses 100 million.

    The number of recorded COVID-19 cases worldwide surpasses 100 million.

  • More than 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S.

    More than 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S.

  • FDA fully approves the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for all people ages 18 years and older.

    Full FDA approval further reinforces that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to meet the agency’s high standards for safety, effectiveness, and consistent quality in manufacturing.
  • Delta and Omicron variants spread

    Delta and Omicron variants spread

    New York state records its highest number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day since the pandemic began – with 114,082 new confirmed cases.
  • The death rate from COVID-19 climbs 30% in two weeks amid an Omicron surge

    The death rate from COVID-19 climbs 30% in two weeks amid an Omicron surge

    More than 2,600 people deaths due to COVID-19 each day. The number of recorded deaths in the U.S. surpasses 900,000.
  • WHO releases data showing that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, with young people and women at the highest risk.

    WHO releases data showing that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, with young people and women at the highest risk.

  • CDC estimates that about 55% of all current COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are caused by the Omicron BA.2 subvariant.

    CDC estimates that about 55% of all current COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are caused by the Omicron BA.2 subvariant.

  • The number of recorded deaths due to COVID-19 reaches 976,229, with more than 79,853,683 total reported cases of the virus in the U.S.

    The number of recorded deaths due to COVID-19 reaches 976,229, with more than 79,853,683 total reported cases of the virus in the U.S.

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 35% increase in the firearm homicide rate, resulting in the highest firearm homicide rate in more than 25 years.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 35% increase in the firearm homicide rate, resulting in the highest firearm homicide rate in more than 25 years.

  • The global market for N95 masks is predicted to reach $11.8 billion by 2026.

    The global market for N95 masks is predicted to reach $11.8 billion by 2026.

  • 550 million worldwide COVID-19 cases

    550 million worldwide COVID-19 cases

  • Period: to

    Steady decline in daily COVID-19 cases as the vaccines start to take effect