What is COVID-19?

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, caused an outbreak of respiratory illness called COVID-19, in Wuhan, China. It has since spread to other parts of China and the world. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect birds and mammals (this includes humans!). Typically, they cause mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold, but can lead to death, often in those that are already immunocompromised.

Quick look : How does COVID-19 compare to the other coronaviruses?

SARS

2002

In 8 mo

8,000

confirmed cases

9.6%

death rate MERS

2012

In 36 mo

2,484

confirmed cases

34.4%

death rate COVID-19

2019–Present

So far in 9 mo

0.00

confirmed cases

NaN %

death rate

Live update of COVID-19 numbers

How deadly is COVID-19?19,20

While COVID-19 is much more infectious, it appears to be less deadly than SARS or MERS right now. However, it is more deadly than the annual flu, which has a death rate of less than 1%. This is why it is even more important that if you experience mild symptoms, you should seek medical care right away, and practice hygienic habits to slow the spread of germs and COVID-19 to the people around you.

China’s COVID-19 death rate by age as of 11 Feb 202019,20

Note: Diseases do not have a single case fatality rate; it depends on context, and changes with time and location.

The first few months of COVID-1918

1 Dec 2019

First patient confirmed in Wuhan, China 31 Dec 2019

China sends urgent notice to WHO of unknown respiratory illness cause 7 Jan 2020 New virus identified as a coronavirus

Europe’s first case confirmed in France 11 Jan 2020

First death is announced in China 21 Jan 2020

First case in the US is confirmed; Snohomish County, Washington 24 Jan 2020

First case of human-to-human transmission is confirmed outside of China in Vietnam 30 Jan 2020 WHO declares the outbreak a global public-health emergency (PHE)

The US reports the first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread 31 Jan 2020 HHS Secretary declares a PHE for the US

President Trump enforces a 14-day quarantine preceding the entry of travelers from mainland China into the US 11 Feb 2020

WHO announces a new official name for the disease as “COVID-19” 25 Feb 2020

CDC warns community to prepare for the spread of COVID-19 in the US 29 Feb 2020

First death in the US in King County, Washington 1 Mar 2020

UN releases $15 million USD from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to fund global efforts to contain the virus 11 Mar 2020

WHO announces that the COVID-19 outbreak is a global pandemic 13 Mar 2020

President Trummp declares a National Emergency, allowing those in charge to act faster in response to an emergency

What happens now?

COVID-19 has spread from Asia to North America, South America, Europe, Oceania, and Africa. The world continues to work towards treating the sick and containing the disease as we learn more about it. For now, the public is encouraged to practice social distancing and hygienic practices.