The 2019 novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The initial reports of pneumonia-like cases sparked concern and investigation by local health authorities and global health organizations. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the key events that unfolded throughout January 2020, marking the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 9 - WHO Announces Mysterious Coronavirus-Related Pneumonia in Wuhan, China

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of pneumonia-like cases in Wuhan, China. At this point, there were concerns that a new coronavirus might be responsible for the spate of illnesses. However, the exact origin and transmission mechanism were still unknown.

January 20 - CDC Says 3 US Airports Will Begin Screening for Coronavirus

As the number of reported cases increased, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that three major US airports would begin screening passengers from China for signs of COVID-19. The selected airports were JFK International, San Francisco International, and Los Angeles International.

January 21 - Chinese Scientist Confirms COVID-19 Human Transmission

Zhong Nanshan, a prominent Chinese scientist, confirmed that the 2019 novel coronavirus could be transmitted from person to person. This crucial information marked a significant turning point in the investigation, as it indicated the potential for human-to-human transmission.

January 21 - CDC Confirms First US Coronavirus Case

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Washington state, USA. A resident had returned from Wuhan on January 15 and tested positive for the virus using overnight polymerase chain reaction testing.

By January 20, there were already 59 reported cases worldwide. The rapid spread of the virus prompted experts to emphasize travel precautions as a crucial measure to contain its transmission.

As the pandemic continued to unfold throughout 2020, vaccines began rolling out in December, but distribution challenges became apparent. The United States fell short of its goal of providing an initial dose to 20 million people by December 31.

In conclusion, January 2020 marked the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the WHO's initial announcement of mysterious pneumonia cases to the CDC's confirmation of human-to-human transmission, these events set the stage for a global health crisis that would unfold over the next year. As we look back on this timeline, it becomes clear that swift action and cooperation between international organizations were essential in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Key statistics:

* January 2020: 59 reported cases worldwide

* December 31, 2020: 83,832,334 global cases; 1,824,590 deaths

* United States: Over 20 million infections from SARS-CoV-2; over 346,000 deaths

Onset of covid symptoms timeline