
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is short for coronavirus disease 2019 because the virus was first identified in Wuhan China in 2019. Etymologically, CO stands for “corona,” VI for “virus,” and D for disease. In February 2020, the virus was officially named COVID-19 after being referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.” A novel coronavirus is defined as a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s and are named due to the appearance of crown-like spires on the virus’ surface. To date, there are seven coronaviruses that can infect humans: 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-COV-2. Sometimes a coronavirus that infects animals can evolve and infect humans thereby becoming a new human coronavirus, such is the case with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2).
There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Like MER-CoV and SARS-CoV, COVID-19 is a beta coronavirus, meaning it is capable of infecting mammals with its natural reservoir being bats and rodents.
How Does COVID Spread?
According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads very easily from person to person, more efficiently than the flu but not as efficiently as the measles which is considered among the most contagious viruses known to affect people.
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from close contact between persons, including between people nearby (within 6 ft.). Infected persons may not show symptoms but can sill spread the virus to others.
- Close contact is most common
- Being near or having direct contact with a person with COVID-19.
- Respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes, signing, talking, or breathing from someone with COVID-19.
- Airborne transmission can sometimes spread the virus
- Enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation can spread the virus to others more than 6 feet away.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces is less common
- Respiratory droplets can land on surfaces and objects that can be touched.
- Transmission occurs when the person who has touched a contaminated surface touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Spread between people and animals is considered rare
- The risk is considered low but it has been reported.
- If you have pets, there is guidance here.
Timeline
On December 31, 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China. Within weeks, the virus had spread throughout the China; within a month, Italy, German, and the United States were reporting cases. Though when the virus actually started is continually being updated, the epidemic itself reportedly started around December 12, 2019.
On January 20, 2020, the state of Washington and the CDC diagnosed the first case of COVID-19 in the United States, a Washington man who became ill on January 19th after returning from Wuhan, China on January 15th. Additionally, the CDC states that three U.S. airports will begin screening for COVID-19. CDC’s case & death tracker begins with Patient #1 on January 22, 2020.
January 9, 2020
WHO announces mysterious coronavirus-related pneumonia in Wuhan, China
January 20, 2020
CDC states three U.S. airports will begin screening for coronavirus
January 21, 2020
CDC confirms 1st U.S. coronavirus case
Chinese scientist confirms COVID-19 human transmission
January 22, 2020
1st COVID-19 case reported
1 case / 0 deaths
January 23, 2020
Wuhan, China goes under quarantine
January 30, 2020
WHO issues global health emergency
January 31, 2020
U.S. declares coronavirus a public health emergencyFebruary 2, 2020
Global air travel restricted
February 3, 2020
10+ cases
11 cases / 0 deaths
February 17, 2020 – Presidents Day
13 cases / 0 deaths
February 25, 2020
CDC states COVID-19 heading toward pandemic status
February 29, 2020
20+ cases / 1st death reported
26 cases / 1 deathMarch 1, 2020
30+ cases
32 cases / 1 death
March 2, 2020
50+ cases
57 cases / 6 deaths
March 3, 2020
80+ cases
81 cases / 9 deaths
March 4, 2020
100+ cases / 10 deaths
103 cases / 10 deaths
March 6, 2020
21 passengers on CA cruise ship test positive
200+ cases
215 cases / 12 deaths
March 8, 2020
400+ cases
432 cases / 19 deaths
March 9, 2020
600+ cases / 20+ deaths
649 cases / 25 deaths
March 10, 2020
900+ cases
952 cases / 25 deaths
March 11, 2020
WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic
1,000+ deaths / 30+ deaths
1,237 cases / 36 deaths
March 12, 2020
40+ deaths
1,667 cases / 41 deaths
March 13, 2020
U.S. government declares COVID-19 a national emergency & a travel ban on non-U.S. citizens traveling from Europe goes into effect
March 14, 2020
2,000+ cases / 50+ deaths
2,339 cases / 51 deaths
March 15, 2020
3,000+ cases / 60+ deaths
3,545 cases / 67 deaths
March 16, 2020
4,000+ cases / 70+ deaths
4,317 cases / 75 deaths
March 17, 2020
University of Minnesota begins testing hydroxychloroquine, the CMS expands use of telehealth & U.S. administration asks Congress to send direct financial relief to Americans
7,000+ cases / 90+ deaths
7,112 cases / 97 deaths
March 18, 2020
10K+ cases / 100+ deaths
10,535 cases / 150 deaths
March 19, 2020 – Spring Starts
CA issues 1st statewide stay-at-home order
200 deaths
15,294 cases / 200 deaths
March 21, 2020
20K+ cases / 300+ deaths
24,697 cases / 324 deaths
March 22, 2020
30K+ cases / 400 deaths
33,534 cases / 400 deaths
March 23, 2020
40K+ cases / 500+ deaths
44,326 cases / 544 deaths
March 24, 2020
Clinical trials put on hold due to overwhelmed hospitals
50K+ cases / 700+ deaths
54,519 cases / 737 deaths
March 25, 2020
Extended shutdowns reported can delay 2nd wave
60K+ cases / 900+ deaths
68,450 cases / 994 deaths
March 26, 2020
Senate passes the CARES Act
80K+ cases / 1,000+ deaths
85,407 cases / 1,245 deaths
March 27, 2020
CARES Act signed into law
100K+ cases
103,563 cases / 1,668 deaths
March 28, 2020
2,000+ deaths
122,872 cases / 2,112 deaths
March 30, 2020
FDA authorizes hydroxychloroquine for treatment
March 31, 2020
JAMA reports COVID-19 can be transmitted through the eye
3,000+ deaths
185,764 cases / 3,602 deathsApril 1, 2020
200K+ cases / 4,000+ deaths
213,035 cases / 4,506 deaths
April 2, 2020
5,000+ deaths
239,125 cases / 5,440 deaths
April 3, 2020
6,000+ deaths
274,210 cases / 6,494 deaths
April 4, 2020
300K+ cases / 7,000+ deaths
304,874 cases / 7,616 deaths
April 5, 2020
8,000+ deaths
330,585 cases / 8,908 deaths
April 6, 2020
10,000+ deaths
373,179 cases / 12,064 deaths
April 8, 2020
Troubles seen with the so-called COVID-19 cocktail
400,000+ cases
426,950 cases / 14,684 deaths
April 11, 2020
500K+ cases / 20K+ deaths
525,540 cases / 20,486 deaths
April 14, 2020
600,000+ cases
604,764 cases / 24,582 deaths
April 15, 2020
30,000+ deaths
631,976 cases / 31,071 deaths
April 16, 2020
“Gating Criteria” sees as way to reopen the economy
April 18, 2020
700,000+ cases
720,682 cases / 37,202 deaths
April 20, 2020
40,000+ deaths
774,873 cases / 41,756 deaths
April 21, 2020
800,000+ cases
801,041 cases / 44,575 deaths
April 24, 2020
50,000+ deaths
894,805 cases / 50,439 deaths
April 25, 2020
900,000+ cases
928,609 cases / 52,459 deaths
April 28, 2020
1 in 7 Americans report would not seek care for fever or dry cough due to cost of care; 26.5M Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March
1+ million cases
1,004,437 cases / 57,505 deaths
April 29, 2020
Promising results seen in NIH trial for Remdesivir
60,000+ deaths
1,030,088 cases / 60,057 deathsMay 1, 2020
Remdesivir gets emergency use authorization from FDA
May 2, 2020
1.1+ million cases
1,120,818 cases / 65,737 deaths
May 5, 2020
70,000+ deaths
1,192,452 cases / 70,802 deaths
May 6, 2020
1.2+ million cases
1,215,418 cases / 73,168 deaths
May 9, 2020
A saliva-based test is allowed for at-home use
May 10, 2020
1.3+ million cases
1,323,096 cases / 79,756 deaths
May 11, 2020
80,000+ Deaths
1,340,645 cases / 80,820 deaths
May 12, 2020
Anthony Fauci, M.D., testifies before the Senate that the death toll is likely underestimated
May 14, 2020
1.4+ million cases
1,409,334 cases / 85,973 deaths
May 18, 2020
1.5+ million cases / 90,000+ deaths
1,502,907 cases / 90,340 deaths
May 21, 2020
U.S. & AstraZeneca form a vaccine deal
May 23, 2020
1.6+ million cases
1,619,741 cases / 97,032 deaths
May 25, 2020 – Memorial Day
1,660,073 cases / 98,234 deaths
May 27, 2020
100,000+ deaths
1,676,800 cases / 100,446 deaths
May 28, 2020
1.7+ million cases
1,718,161 cases / 101,711 deathsJune 1, 2020
1.8+ million cases
1,801,354 cases / 105,157 deaths
June 4, 2020
Two studies on the use of hydroxychloroquine are retracted due to authors not being able to vouch for the data used
June 6, 2020
1.9+ million cases
1,919,751 cases / 109,901
June 7, 2020
110,000+ deaths
1,937,595 cases / 110,375 deaths
June 10, 2020
U.S. hits 2 million cases as states see surge
June 11, 2020
2+ million cases
2,015,107 cases / 113,914 deaths
June 15, 2020
2.1+ million cases
2,103,688 cases / 116,140 deaths
June 16, 2020
HHS announces that COVID-19 vaccine doses will be free for some
June 18, 2020
WHO ends study into hydroxychloroquine because it does no reduce mortality
June 19, 2020
2.2+ million cases
2,215,635 cases / 119,055 deaths
June 20, 2020
NIH stops hydroxychloroquine trials, stating that the treatment does no harm but also provide no benefit
June 22, 2020 – Summer Starts
Study suggests 80% of cases in March went undetected
2.3+ million cases / 120,000+ deaths
2,302,363 cases / 120,333 deaths
June 25, 2020
2.4+ million cases
2,415,259 cases / 123,325 deaths
June, 26, 2020
The White House Task Force addresses rising cases in Texas & Florida after two months without briefings
June 27, 2020
2.5+ million cases
2,504,729 cases / 125,484 deaths
June 29, 2020
Gilead sets the price for Remdesivir at $3,120 per treatment course or $520 a vial
June 30, 2020
Fauci warns that new COVID-19 cases could hit 100,000 a day
2.6+ million cases
2,625,392 cases / 127,299 deathsJuly 2, 2020
Several states postpone or reverse plans to reopen as 50,000 new cases are reported since the day before
2.7+ million cases
2,732,666 cases / 128,664 deaths
July 4, 2020 – Independence Day
2.8+ million cases
2,842,554 cases / 129,57 deaths
July 6, 2020
Hundreds of scientists call on the WHO to revise recommendations on COVID-19 to better reflect airborne transmission potential
130,000+ deaths
2,933,296 cases / 130,133 deaths
July 7, 2020
As cases hit 3 million, U.S. begins withdrawal from the WHO
July 8, 2020
3+ million cases
3,048,542 cases / 132,056 deaths
July 9, 2020
WHO announces that COVID-19 can be airborne
3.1+ million cases
3,107,815 cases / 132,855 deaths
July 11, 2020
3.2+ million cases
3,237,194 cases / 134,392
July 13, 2020
3.3+ million cases
3,356,735 cases / 135,218 deaths
July 14, 2020
States seeing spikes in cases reported to have the greatest percentage of nonelderly adults without health insurance coverage; early Moderna data points to efficacy of vaccine
3.4+ million cases
3,417,928 cases / 135,991 deaths
July 15, 2020
Hospital data reporting protocol calls for bypassing the CDC when sending COVID-19-related information prompting concerns
July 16, 2020
New single-day record of 75,600 cases sets new record
3.5+ million cases
3,557,899 cases / 137,864 deaths
July 17, 2020
3.6+ million cases
3,632,961 cases / 138,782 deaths
July 18, 2020
3.7+ million cases
3,700,609 cases / 139,659 deaths
July 19, 2020
140,000+ deaths
3,763,736 cases / 140,157 deaths
July 20, 2020
Diagnostic delays from COVID-19 may increase cancer-related deaths
3.8+ million cases
3,821,860 cases / 140,630 deaths
July 21, 2020
Vaccines from AstraZeneca, CanSin Biologics show promising results
July 22, 2020
HHS/DoD announce vaccine distribution agreement with Pfizer & BioNTech
3.9+ million cases
3,955,664 cases / 142,755 deaths
July 23, 2020
Findings indicate antibody levels drop after the first three months of COVID-19 infection; an antibody cocktail may treat, prevent COVID-19
4+ million cases
4,028,190 cases / 143,868 deaths
July 24, 2020
4.1+ million cases
4,103,271 cases / 145,013 deaths
July 26, 2020
4.2+ million cases
4,229,664 cases / 145,546 deaths
July 27, 2020
The Moderna vaccine begins Phase 3 trials; the Senate introduces the HEALS Act
July 28, 2020
4.3+ million cases
4,344,553 cases / 148,866 deaths
July 29, 2020
The FDA grants Truvian Sciences emergency authorization for a rapid antibody test
4.4+ million cases / 150,000+ deaths
4,410,867 cases / 150,283 deaths
July 31, 2020
4.5+ million cases
4,548,077 cases / 152,870 deathsAugust 1, 2020
4.6+ million cases
4,607,086 cases / 154,002 deaths
August 3, 2020
New phase of the pandemic as cases become more widespread; Sanofi & GlaxoSmithKline receive $2.1B for vaccine development
4.7+ million cases
4,704,857 cases / 155,204 deaths
August 4, 2020
Rural hotspots face lack of ICU beds
August 5, 2020
4.8+ million cases
4,809,033 cases / 157,631 deaths
August 6, 2020
U.S. rescinds global “do not travel” coronavirus warning
August 7, 2020
Talks stalls on a 2nd relief package
4.9+ million cases / 160,000+ deaths
4,927,412 cases / 160,220 deaths
August 9, 2020
5+ million cases
5,030,831 cases / 161,842 deaths
August 11, 2020
U.S. administration reaches a deal with Moderna for vaccine
5.1+ million cases
5,127,363 cases / 163,651 deaths
August 12, 2020
Kaiser Permanente publish findings that severe obesity increases mortality risk from COVID-19
August 13, 2020
Presidential nominee Biden calls for a three-month mask mandate
5.2+ million cases
5,237,415 cases / 166,317 deaths
August 15, 2020
FDA approves saliva test
5.3+ million cases
5,349,010 cases / 168,600 deaths
August 17, 2020
COVID-19 becomes the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease & cancer
5.4+ million cases
5,430,042 cases / 169,840 deaths
August 19, 2020
5.5+ million cases
5,516,774 cases / 172,416 deaths
August 18, 2020
170,000+ deaths
5,469,978 cases / 171,012 deaths
August 21, 2020
5.6+ million cases
5,609,296 cases / 174,644 deaths
August 23, 2020
FDA clears convalescent plasma for use as therapy to fight COVID-19
August 24, 2020
Global, multicenter study finds Remdesivir has little effect on patients hospitalized with COVID-[19
5.7+ million cases
5,726,827 cases / 176,617 deaths
August 25, 2020
CDC changes testing guidance & backtracks after decision was revealed to have bypassed process & internal review
August 26, 2020
FDA grants emergency authorization to Abbott’s rapid test
5.8+ million cases
5,811, 376 cases / 178,998 deaths
August 27, 2020
180,000+ deaths
5,858,612 cases / 180,165 deaths
August 28, 2020
1st known case of COVID-19 reinfection reported in U.S.
5.9+ million cases
5,903,780 cases / 181,143 deaths
August 31, 2020
6+ million cases
6,018,299 cases / 183,050 deathsSeptember 1, 2020
U.S. rejects the WHOs global COVID-19 vaccine effort
September 2, 2020
6.1+ million cases
6,102,272 cases / 185,092 deaths
September 3, 2020
Three studies report that steroids are effective for serious COVID-19 cases; Sanofi & GlaxoSmithKline start clinical trials of vaccine
September 5, 2020
6.2+ million cases
6,242,500 cases / 188,051 deaths
September 7, 2020 – Labor Day
6.3+ million cases
6,303,153 cases / 188,688 deaths
September 8, 2020
AstraZeneca stops Phase 3 vaccine trials due to unknown adverse reaction in patient
September 9, 2020
190,000+ deaths
6,359,970 cases / 190,262 deaths
September 11, 2020
6.4+ million cases
6,444,440 cases / 192,388 deaths
September 13, 2020
6.5+ million cases
6,520,440 cases / 193,705 deaths
September 14, 2020
U.S. airports stop screening international travelers; Pfizer & BioNTech expand Phase 3 trials of vaccine; NIH launches investigation into halted Astrazeneca trial
September 15, 2020
CDC reports that people who recently tested positive for COVID-19 were 2.4 times more likely to have dined out, 4 times for those who went to a bar or cafΓ©
September 16, 2020
Administration releases vaccine distribution plan
6.6+ million cases
6,631,891 cases / 196,284
September 17, 2020
Europe reports rising COVID-19 cases
September 18, 2020
6.7+ million cases
6,725,373 cases / 198,079 deaths
September 20, 2020
6.8+ million cases
6,805,331 cases / 199,024
September 21, 2020
CDC removes guidance stating that COVID-19 transmission is airborne, says posted in error; Johnson & Johnson begins Phase 3 vaccine trials
September 22, 2020 – Autumn Starts
200,000+ deaths
6,894,745 cases / 200,275 deaths
September 23, 2020
New, more contagious strain of COVID-19 is discovered, the mutation allows virus to bind & infect more cells
6.9+ million cases
6,936,361 cases / 201,443 deaths
September 25, 2020
Midwest states report increases in COVID-19 cases
7+ million cases
7,025,784 cases / 203,180 deaths
September 27, 2020
7.1+ million cases
7,112,194 cases / 204,328 deaths
September 28, 2020
Global COVID-19 deaths surpass 1 million
September 29, 2020
HHS announces plan to distribute 100M rapid tests to states by the end of the year; Regeneron reports positive results for antibody treatment
September 30, 2020
7.2+ million cases
7,231,001 cases / 206,402 deathsOctober 2, 2020
President & 1st lady test positive for COVID-19, president hospitalized
7.3+ million cases
7,328,726 cases / 208,118 deaths
October 4, 2020
7.4+ million cases
7,414,935 cases / 209,199 deaths
October 5, 2020
President leave hospital while continuing to receive treatment
October 6, 2020
210,000+ deaths
7,494,896 cases / 210,232 deaths
October 7, 2020
7.5+ million cases
7,548,244 cases / 211,132 deaths
October 8, 2020
President criticized for COVID-19 response as 39 states report rises in COVID-19 cases; poll finds more Americans trust Biden to lead health care system; the White House COVID-19 outbreak reaches 34
7.6+ million cases
7,603,628 cases / 212,111 deaths
October 9, 2020
U.S. signs antibody treatment deal with AstraZeneca
October 10, 2020
7.7+ million cases
7,715,965 cases / 213,614 deaths
October 12, 2020
Johnson & Johnson stop vaccine trial due to unexplained illness in patient
7.8+ million cases
7,808,807 cases / 214,446 deaths
October 14, 2020
7.9+ million cases
7,916,836 cases / 216,025 deaths
October 15, 2020
U.S. cases spike again with 60K new cases; studies suggest connection between blood type & COVID-19 risk
October 16, 2020
8+ million cases
8,051,012 cases / 196,284 deaths
October 17, 2020
8.1+ million cases
8,104,622 cases / 218,511 deaths
October 19, 2020
Global cases top 40M
8.2+ million cases
8,212,184 cases / 219,499 deaths
October 20, 2020
220,000+ deaths
8,272,982 cases / 220,362 deaths
October 21, 2020
8.3+ million cases
8,336,927 cases / 221,438 deaths
October 22, 2020
FDA approves Remdesivir as 1st COVID-19 drug
8.4+ million cases
8,411,559 cases / 222,447 deaths
October 23, 2020
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson announce restart of vaccine trials
October 24, 2020
8.5+ million cases
8,579,063 cases / 224,221 deaths
October 25, 2020
8.6+ million cases
8,642,306 cases / 224,601 deaths
October 26, 2020
8.7+ million cases
8,706,283 cases / 225,084 deaths
October 28, 2020
CMS coverage rules for vaccine & treatment
8.8+ million cases
8,861,629 cases / 227,045 deaths
October 29, 2020
8.9+ million cases
8,952,153 cases / 228,100 deaths
October 30, 2020
9+ million cases
9,052,330 cases / 229,109 deaths
October 31, 2020 – Halloween
9.1+ million cases
9,141,332 cases / 229,978 deathsNovember 1, 2020
9.2+ million cases / 230,000+ deaths
9,211,074 cases / 230,383 deaths
November 3, 2020 – Election Day
9.3+ million cases
9,386,490 cases / 231,988 deaths
November 4, 2020
U.S. reports 100,000 cases in a single day
9.4+ million cases
9,493,937 cases / 233,129 deaths
November 5, 2020
Study predicts difficulties in nationwide COVID-19 immunity
9.6+ million cases
9,612,419 cases / 234,264 deaths
November 6, 2020
9.7+ million cases
9,746,273 cases / 235,475 deaths
November 7, 2020
9.8+ million cases
9,840,437 cases / 236,547 deaths
November 8, 2020
9.9+ million cases
9,945,731 cases / 237,027 deaths
November 9, 2020
President-elect Biden announces COVID-19 transition team; Pfizer publishes vaccine results; FDA issues emergency use for Eli Lilly’s antibody treatment
10+ million cases
10,069,186 cases / 237,731 deaths
November 11, 2020 – Veterans Day
Study observes most new COVID-19 cases originated from indoor gatherings
240,000+ deaths
10,349,975 cases / 240,596 deaths
November 16, 2020
Moderna reports 94.5% efficacy for vaccine; FDA to move rapidly on emergency use authorizations for Pfizer & Moderna vaccines
11.1+ million cases
11,136,253 cases / 246,232 deathss
November 17, 2020
Fauci highlights need for long-term follow-up of COVID-19 effects
11.3+ million cases
11,300,635 cases / 247,834 deaths
November 18, 2020
Pfizer & BioNTech report 95% efficacy for vaccine
11.4+ million cases
11,465,722 cases / 249,670 deaths
November 19, 2020
11.6+ million cases / 250,000+ deaths
11,650,817 cases / 251,715 deaths
November 20, 2020
Pfizer & BioNTech submit for emergency authorization; CDC warns against holiday travel; WHO recommends against FDA-approved Remdesivir
11.8+ million cases
11,843,490 cases / 253,600 deaths
November 21, 2020
12+ million cases
12,028,081 cases / 255,076 deaths
November 22, 2020
12.1+ million cases
12,028,081 cases / 255,958 deaths
November 23, 2020
AstraZeneca reports 90% efficacy for vaccine; FDA grants emergency authorization for 2nd antibody treatment
12.3+ million cases
12,333,452 cases / 257,016 deaths
November 24, 2020
12.4+ million cases
12,498,734 cases / 259,005 deaths
November 25, 2020
12.6+ million cases / 260,000+ deaths
12,680,353 cases / 261,276 deaths
November 26, 2020 – Thanksgiving Day
12.8+ million cases
12,827,266 cases / 262,273 deaths
November 27, 2020
12.9+ million cases
12,999,664 cases / 263,956 deaths
November 28, 2020
13.1+ million cases
13,142,997 cases / 265,166 deaths
November 29, 2020
13.2+ million cases
13,295,605 cases / 266,051 deaths
November 30, 2020
13.4+ million cases
13,447,627 cases / 267,302 deathsDecember 1, 2020
13.6+ million cases
13,626,022 cases / 269,763 deaths
December 2, 2020
13.8+ million cases / 270,000+ deaths
13,822,249 cases / 272,525 deaths
December 3, 2020
14+ million cases
14,041,436 cases / 275,386 deaths
December 4, 2020
14.2+ million cases
14,255,535 cases / 277,825 deaths
December 5, 2020
14.4+ million cases / 280,000+ deaths
14,462,527 cases / 280,135 deaths
December 6, 2020
U.S. hits record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at 102,148; Canada orders 40M doses of Moderna vaccine
14.6+ million cases
14,636,914 cases / 281,253 deaths