The COVID-19 pandemic began with cases of an unknown pneumonia-like illness reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020, and officially declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The public health emergency of international concern officially ended in May 2023.

Key Dates:

• December 2019: First cases identified in Wuhan, China.
• January 2020: First confirmed cases outside China; the virus spread to other countries.
• March 11, 2020: WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
• May 2023: WHO declares the end of the public health emergency of international concern related to COVID-19.

These events mark the pandemic period from late 2019 through mid-2023, with ongoing impacts and responses continuing beyond.