The COVID-19 epidemic originated in 2019, and the specific time point can be traced back to December 12, when the first patient with novel coronavirus pneumonia appeared in Wuhan. Subsequently, some medical institutions in Wuhan City successively reported cases of pneumonia of unknown origin. After a series of tests, the new coronavirus was confirmed on January 7. The pathogenic nucleic acid test was conducted on January 10, and it was officially named a new coronavirus on the 12th. Coronavirus pneumonia.

The timeline of the epidemic is as follows: December 12: The first case appears. December 29: 27 patients were found to have pneumonia caused by an unknown virus. December 30: A team of experts goes to Wuhan to investigate. December 31: 27 cases were publicly reported for the first time, 7 of which were in critical condition. Wuhan began to investigate the South China Seafood City, and no obvious human-to-human transmission or infection among medical staff was found. On the same day, Wuhan launched a city-wide epidemiological investigation. January 3: The number of cases increased to 44, with 11 severe cases. The cause of the disease was traced and common diseases such as influenza and bird flu were ruled out. January 5: The number of patients increased to 59, with 7 severe cases. SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome were ruled out. Citizens were advised to wear masks and seek medical treatment promptly. January 7: The type of pneumonia was changed to new coronavirus pneumonia for the first time. Among the 41 cases, 7 were severe and 1 died, but medical staff were not infected. January 11: Caixin reported on the origin of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan and the first death case was disclosed, followed by other media reports. January 13: The first overseas confirmed case appeared, a Chinese tourist was diagnosed in Thailand. January 16: Four new cases were reported in Wuhan, and the first case related to Wuhan appeared in Japan, but the patient had not been to the seafood market. January 17: 17 new cases, partly thanks to new testing kits, and the death toll rises to two. January 18/19: The number of new cases increased significantly, and information such as "limited human-to-human transmission" was no longer mentioned for the first time. January 20: The epidemic spread in China, with cases appearing in Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangdong and other places. Academician Zhong Nanshan confirmed that the virus was contagious and emphasized the importance of wearing masks. On January 23, Wuhan implemented traffic control and restricted citizens from leaving. The epidemic entered a new stage.