Key milestones in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic

Apr 22, 2020

A child wearing a protective face mask is seen next to Italian flag during a protest in front of the town hall, as Italy eases some of the lockdown measures put in place during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Milan, Italy May 18, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2WQG9E3CZZ

Italy was for many weeks the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe. Image: REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

Harry Kretchmer

Senior Writer, Formative Content

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A lot has happened since December 2019, when China reported a mystery illness. Image: Avetta

Daily confirmed new cases of COVID-19 around the world. Image: John Hopkins University & Medicine

Barriers are put up near the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato - RC21YE923EBP

The plight of stranded tourists on a cruise ship hit by the virus focuses media attention on the disease. Image: REUTERS/Issei Kato

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Italy is one of the countries where there are a large number of unexplained ‘excess deaths’ that are not officially attributed to COVID-19. Image: London Business School

coronavirus fears malaria pandemic disease infection contamination sanitation spread virus health care italy quarantine home isolation social distancing

The disruption to vaccination programmes due to COVID-19 could lead to a spike in preventable deaths Image: WHO

The UK economy is facing a significant recession. Image: ONS/Bloomberg

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