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A cluster of patients in China's Hubei Province in the city of Wuhan began to experience symptoms of an atypical pneumonia-like illness that does not respond well to standard treatments.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in China is informed of several cases of a pneumonia of unknown etiology (cause) with symptoms including shortness of breath and fever occurring in Wuhan, China. All initial cases seem connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.
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A scientist in China confirms that a mysterious new pneumonia-like illness identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, can be transmitted from human to human. Two days later, China puts Wuhan under strict lockdown. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the U.S. sees its first case of the disease, later named COVID-19. The patient is a resident of Washington state who had traveled to Wuhan. The Trump Administration declares a public health emergency.
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Cases of COVID-19 begin to multiply around the world. Countries are restricting travel to contain the virus.
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The WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic. In the U.S., the Grand Princess cruise ship is held at sea off the coast of California after 21 of the 3,500 people aboard test positive for the virus. California also becomes the first state to order all residents to stay home with the exceptions of going to an essential job or shopping for essential needs. Hospitals become overwhelmed, and there is a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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As cases continue to surge, countries keep their borders sealed. Businesses shut down (leading to massive job losses), schools close, sporting events cancel, and college students go home. People start wearing masks and practicing “social distancing.”
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After months in lockdown, states slowly begin a “phased reopening,” based on criteria outlined by the Trump Administration, in coordination with state, county, and local officials. Meanwhile, scientists across the globe are in a race to understand the disease, find treatments and solutions, and develop vaccines.
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The first documented case of reinfection is reported in Hong Kong. On a broader scale, COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (after heart disease and cancer).
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants full approval to a drug called remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19
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The FDA grants Pfizer-BioNTech the first Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for an mRNA vaccine, a new type of vaccine that has proven to be highly effective against COVID-19. A week later, it grants another EUA to Moderna, also for an mRNA vaccine.
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Around the world, the race is on to vaccinate as many people as possible in time to slow the spread of the variants. Researchers work to understand how deadly or contagious variants are compared to the original virus.
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2 Million People
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100 Million
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There is not enough vaccine supply to meet the demand. But the Biden Administration expects the addition of a third option (by Johnson & Johnson) to make vaccines more available to everyone. Meanwhile, companies are working to tweak their products to make distribution easier and to control new variants.
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U.S. COVID-19 related deaths surpass 500K.
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Biden administration announces $10B investment to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and build vaccine confidence in hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.
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Global COVID-19 related deaths surpass 3M.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates outdoors face mask guidance for fully vaccinated people.
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Deputy Secretary of Defense issues guidance which removes requirements for mask wearing for fully vaccinated personnel, indoors and outdoors, at DOD facilities. The DOD guidance remains consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance about mask wearing for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated personnel, and where local jurisdictions require masks.
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U.S. COVID-19 related deaths surpass 600K.
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Global COVID-19 related deaths surpass 4M.
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Global COVID-19 related deaths surpass 5M.
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DOD, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, awards contract modifications to Abbott Rapid Dx North America, LLC, and iHealth Labs Inc. to purchase COVID-19 antigen over-the-counter tests in support of POTUS' 1B free at-home COVID-19 tests.
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U.S. COVID-19 related deaths surpass 1M; POTUS issues a proclamation directing that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff.
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Food and Drug Administration expands eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to children 5 through 11 years.
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Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, expires at the end of this day