From Wuhan to worldwide coronavirus pandemic: 100 days that changed the globe

This week marks 100 days since the World Health Organisation (WHO) was alerted to a mystery illness in China which saw a handful of people fall ill in the city of Wuhan.

Few realised that this was the beginning of a global pandemic that would plunge the world's economy into turmoil.

Unemployment rates spiralled across the West as businesses were ordered to close. The US saw 10 million people sign on to unemployment benefits in a fortnight, a rate that surpassed even the worst weeks of the 2008 financial crash.

Italy, France, Spain and the UK have seen thousands of deaths each. Even world leaders are not safe, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson taken into intensive care after catching the virus.

The Evening Standard looks back at the first 100 days of the coronavirus crisis.

It began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan when the outbreak of a mystery respiratory illness leaves 27 people with viral pneumonia – seven of whom are in a serious condition in hospital. There are early comparisons with the Sars outbreak of late 2002, however authorities say the cause is unclear and urge people not to panic. The World Health Organisation is informed.

By January 3, 2020 the number of confirmed cases has risen to 44, most of which have been traced to the South China Seafood City food market in Wuhan, where offerings are reported to include wild animals that carry viruses dangerous to humans.

A 61-year-old man with “severe underlying health issues” becomes the first person to die from the outbreak on January 11. Chinese officials say the threat of human-to-human transmission remains low.

The virus begins to spread around the globe. On January 20 new cases are confirmed in Beijing and Shenzhen, as the death toll rises to three. Authorities in Thailand and Japan identify at least three cases, all involving recent travel from China.

Wuhan goes into travel lockdown on January 22, with outbound flights and trains banned, and bus routes closed in an effort to contain the virus. The death toll stands at 17. Meanwhile, the Department of Health decides all direct flights from Wuhan to Heathrow airport will be subject to enhanced monitoring.

On January 23, Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells the Commons the NHS is “ready to respond appropriately” to any cases of coronavirus that emerge in the UK. Meanwhile, the UK tests its first 14 patients for coronavirus, five of whom are in Scotland.

China begins to ramp up its response on January 24 as the Wuhan lockdown is extended countrywide, with transport links shut down in at least 13 cities which are home to more than 36 million people. It comes as the Chinese government announces construction of a pop-up hospital to deal with the steep rise in cases. In the UK, Mr Hancock chairs a Cobra meeting on the Government’s planned response to the virus. Afterwards, he reiterates to reporters on Whitehall that the threat to the UK is “low”.

The situation worldwide is rapidly developing. On January 26 the Foreign Office updates its guidance to “advise against all travel to Hubei province”, the centre of the outbreak. Britons in Wuhan are told to leave if they can.

Four days later on January 30 the WHO declares the coronavirus outbreak a global emergency. It comes as China reports more than 7,800 cases including 170 deaths.

The first people in England – two members of the same family – test positive for coronavirus on January 31. Meanwhile, Britons arriving on flights from Wuhan are taken into quarantine. A public health emergency is declared in the US. The virus has infected almost 10,000 people globally, with 213 fatalities – all in China.

On February 11, Steve Walsh, a businessman from East Sussex thought to be at the centre of a UK outbreak, says he has fully recovered from the illness. It comes as the death toll in mainland China passes 1,000 people.

Italy records its first deaths from Covid-19 on February 22. Special measures are introduced in towns in northern Italy in an effort to contain the virus.

The situation continues to deteriorate worldwide and on February 24 the WHO declares Covid-19 to be a global pandemic.

On February 28 the first British death from coronavirus – now known as Covid-19 – is reported. He was a passenger on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The first case of coronavirus is reported in Wales.

The first person in the UK dies with coronavirus on March 5. The woman, in her 70s, died in the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. A second person, a man in his 80s, dies the following day.

Other European countries begin nationwide restrictions on March 13. Austria, Portugal, France, Denmark and Norway begin to ban public gatherings and close schools as the death toll mounts. The first Coronavirus patient dies in Scotland. Top-level football competitions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are suspended.

The UK swings into action on March 17 when Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils a £330 billion package to help businesses furlough staff. Similar measures are announced later covering self-employed workers.

Public pressure to impose restrictions similar to other European countries mounts and on March 20 Boris Johnson orders pubs and restaurants across the country to close.

This is followed by a nationwide lockdown on March 23. The public is told they will only be allowed to leave their homes for limited reasons, including shopping for food, exercise once per day, medical need and travelling for work when absolutely necessary. All shops selling non-essential goods are told to close, gatherings of more than two people in public are banned, all events including weddings but excluding funerals are cancelled.

On March 27 Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive for Covid-19, while chief medical officer Chris Whitty says he has symptoms of the illness and is self-isolating.

UK deaths from coronavirus reach 1,019 on March 28, an increase of 260 in 24 hours.

By April 2 almost a million people have signed up for Universal Credit, the Government’s welfare payments system, in a two-week period. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson says he is “still showing symptoms” of Covid-19.

On April 5 the Queen addresses the nation in a historic television broadcast, invoking themes of the Second World War by announcing: “We will meet again.” An hour later, it is confirmed Boris Johnson is admitted to hospital for tests as his symptoms persist.

Boris Johnson's condition worsens and on April 7 he is moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he is said to be receiving oxygen. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is named his successor should the situation worsen.

Wuhan, where the outbreak began, finally lifts its lockdown on April 8.