Paris (AFP)

Here are the main steps since the WHO announced on January 8 that a new coronavirus could be the cause of an unknown epidemic that started in China, which has since claimed the lives of more than 70,000 people.

- New coronavirus -

On January 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that a new coronavirus may be the cause of an epidemic of pneumonia of unknown origin that appeared in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The 11, first death in China. First contaminations outside of this country are announced during January.

- Confined Hubei -

January 24, first European cases, in France.

After Wuhan, almost the entire province of Hubei (center) is confined on the 25th.

- International emergency -

On the 28th, the first two direct transmissions outside of China are confirmed (Japan and Germany).

Several countries repatriate their nationals from China.

On the 30th, the WHO, criticized for its procrastination, declared the international emergency, without considering it necessary to limit travel and exchanges with China.

- First dead outside China and Asia -

February 2, first death outside China, in the Philippines (a Chinese native of Wuhan).

7, WHO warns that the world is facing a chronic lack of protective equipment.

On the 14th, a Chinese man died in France, the first death outside of Asia.

On the 19th, when the death toll exceeded 2,000, the WHO warned against any disproportionate measure.

- Serial cancellations -

Several large global companies fear a brutal impact on their business and results.

Cascade cancellations of international fairs, sports competitions and festivities. Suspension of flights to China.

- More cases outside China -

Contamination is accelerating in Italy, South Korea and Iran.

On the 25th, the WHO mentioned the risk of a pandemic. The next day, the number of new cases in the world exceeds those in China.

- Italy confined -

In early March, the WHO calls for the provision of respiratory assistance devices.

The OECD predicts a sharp slowdown in the economy.

On the 6th, more than 100,000 cases worldwide.

The 8, confinement in the north of Italy, quickly extended to the whole country.

On the 9th, an oil crash plunged the world's stock markets.

- Pandemic -

On the 11th, the WHO described Covid-19 as a "pandemic".

The American borders are gradually closing to around thirty countries.

Governments and central banks announce massive measures to support the economy.

- Epicenter Europe -

On the 13th, the WHO indicates that Europe is now the "epicenter" of the pandemic.

Mandatory confinement in Spain on the 14th, in France on the 17th.

Other European countries advise first to "stay at home" and limit contact.

- Airplanes on the ground, borders closed -

Airlines are drastically reducing their flights.

Many countries close their borders.

On the 18th, more than 200,000 cases were identified.

- Italy hit hard -

On the 19th, Italy becomes the country with the most deaths.

National or local containment announcements are increasing.

On the 23rd, the IMF warns of a worse recession than after the 2008 financial crisis.

- Billions of confined people -

On the 24th, the Tokyo Olympic Games are postponed.

WHO warns that the United States, where contamination is exploding, could soon become the epicenter of the epidemic.

On the 25th, the UN warns that the spread of the pandemic "threatens all of humanity".

The US Senate approves a $ 2,000 billion plan to support the economy.

More than 3 billion people are called to confine themselves to the world, instead of a billion two days earlier.

- Wuhan comes out of isolation -

On the 28th, when Wuhan began to emerge from solitary confinement, Italy passed the 10,000 dead mark, joined by Spain five days later.

On April 2, the symbolic bar of a million officially registered cases is crossed in the world, while half of humanity is now confined.

© 2020 AFP