Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020

The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020 details the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic during this month. This period was marked by significant developments as the virus spread beyond China and began to affect countries worldwide.

February 1-7

On February 1, the number of confirmed cases worldwide surpassed 12,000, with the majority of cases in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, which continued to influence global responses in early February.

COVID-19 outbreak timeline

During the first week of February, several countries began evacuating their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. The United States, Japan, and several European countries organized flights to bring their nationals home, often placing them under quarantine upon arrival.

February 8-14

By February 8, the number of confirmed cases in China had exceeded 34,000, with over 700 deaths. The virus continued to spread internationally, with new cases reported in countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

COVID-19 cases in China

On February 11, the WHO officially named the disease caused by the novel coronavirus "COVID-19." The virus itself was named "SARS-CoV-2" by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

February 15-21

The third week of February saw a significant increase in cases outside China, particularly in Iran and Italy. Iran reported its first cases on February 19, with a rapid increase in numbers over the following days. Italy also experienced a surge in cases, particularly in the Lombardy region.

2020 coronavirus patients in China

The Diamond Princess cruise ship, quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, became a significant cluster of cases, with over 600 passengers and crew testing positive by the end of the quarantine period.

February 22-29

By the end of February, the global number of confirmed cases had surpassed 85,000, with significant outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, and Iran. The rapid spread of the virus led to increased travel restrictions and public health measures worldwide.

Log-linear plot of coronavirus cases

On February 28, the WHO raised the global risk level of the COVID-19 outbreak to "very high," the highest level of alert. This was in response to the rapid increase in cases and the spread of the virus to new countries.

Impact and Response

Throughout February, countries implemented various measures to contain the spread of the virus. These included travel bans, quarantine measures, and public health campaigns to promote hygiene and social distancing.

Hubei, China, and ROW cases

The economic impact of the pandemic began to be felt globally, with disruptions to supply chains and declines in travel and tourism. Stock markets experienced volatility as investors reacted to the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak.

Related pages

• COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2
• World Health Organization
• Public Health Emergency of International Concern