December 8: The first patient of Wuhan coronavirus developed symptoms

December 31: The first cases reported to the World Health Organization

January 1: The market in Wuhan where the outbreak is believed to have started shuts down for disinfection

January 8: Chinese scientists identify the pathogen as a new strain of coronavirus

January 23: Authorities put Wuhan into partial lockdown

January 31: US announces it will deny entry to foreign nationals who have traveled in China in the last 14 days

February 1: Australia bans all travellers entering from mainland China