The outbreak of COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic on 11 March by the World Health Organisation, erupted in late December in the Chinese city of Wuhan and caused 81,700 Chinese citizens to become infected, with over 3,300 related deaths, according to the National Health Commission.
The virus began to spread rapidly around the world. The number of coronavirus cases registered globally reached 1,610,909 with 99,690 deaths according to the World Health Organization.
31 December - Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in Wuhan and called on people not to panic.
2 January - Russian regions begin to strengthen sanitary control on the Chinese border.
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© AP Photo / Ee Ming Toh
5 January - the first coronavirus case reported outside of China, in Singapore.
9 January - Chinese authorities say a new type of coronavirus is causing the outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan.
22 January - Wuhan quarantined.
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© AP Photo / Bernat Armangue
11 February - the virus was named Covid-2019.
7 March - the first coronavirus case was reported in Russia.
10 and 12 March - Italy imposed universal quarantine, as the country became the leader among European states in number confirmed cases and death rate.
11 March - WHO classified the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
First signs of panic reported from across the globe as people rushed to local stores to buy food.
25 March - People around the world gradually switch to remote work.
25 March - Vladimir Putin addressed the citizens of Russia. The Russian president announced a non-working week. All stores are closed, with the exception of grocery stores.
27 March - The US surpassed China in number of confirmed coronavirus cases. On 30 March, the US surpassed China in number of deaths. Corpse refrigerators installed in New York.
Tough punishment for breaking self-isolation imposed around the world.
People recommended to keep social distance even in churches.
30 March - Russia completely closes its borders.
30 March - self-isolation regime is introduced for all residents of Moscow.
Passengers in medical masks in Hong Kong subway.
April 3 - Spain surpassed Italy in the number of coronavirus infected, becoming the epicentre of the pandemic in Europe.
On April 5th Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation.
April 8 - after suppressing the outbreak, Wuhan was re-opened.
