By Agence France-Presse
The new coronavirus that appeared late December has claimed 563 lives, infected more than 28,000 people in mainland China and spread to more than 20 countries.
Here is a timeline.
This photo taken on February 5, 2020 shows a patient (R) covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT / MANILA BULLETIN)
New virus
Health authorities in Wuhan, an industrial city in central Hubei province, first document the new illness on December 8.
On December 31, China alerts the World Health Organization (WHO) to cases of pneumonia in the city.
Several infections are traced to a Wuhan market, which is shut on January 1.
As infections rise, Chinese officials say on January 7 they have identified a new virus from the coronavirus family. It is named 2019-nCoV.
First death
China announces its first death in Wuhan on January 11.
Two days later the first case outside China is reported in Thailand, originating in Wuhan.
Read more: Thailand reports case of coronavirus from China
Japan reports its first case, also from Wuhan, on January 16.
Read more: Japan confirms first case of infection with new China coronavirus
The United States, Nepal, France, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan confirm cases over the following days.
The US starts screening flights from Wuhan, to be followed by Asian countries.
Human transmission
By January 20, nearly half of China's provinces are affected, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
A Chinese infectious disease expert confirms the illness can be transmitted between humans.
Epicenter quarantined
Wuhan is placed under quarantine on January 23, with transport links cut there and in other Hubei province cities, affecting more than 56 million people.
The WHO says the outbreak is an emergency in China but not yet globally.
Read more: WHO: Coronavirus outbreak has not yet become a global health emergency
Beijing cancels events for the upcoming Lunar New Year. Several landmarks are closed.
The first two deaths are reported outside Hubei.
On January 24, the first cases are recorded in Europe, in France.
Read more: Three coronavirus cases confirmed in France, first in Europe
Public shutdown
Beijing extends the Lunar New Year holiday to limit travel.
On January 27, the US and Germany tell their citizens not to travel to China.
On January 28, Germany and Japan announce the first two confirmed human-to-human transmissions outside China.
Evacuations
On January 29, the US and Japan become the first of several nations to start evacuating citizens from Wuhan.
The coronavirus emerges in the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates.
Read more: UAE announces first case of new coronavirus, in family from Wuhan
Some international airlines suspend their China flights. Foreign companies shutdown Chinese factories and shops.
International emergency
On January 30, the WHO declares a "public health emergency of international concern."
Read more: WHO declares global emergency
Russia shuts its border with China.
Read more: Russia to shut border with China over coronavirus
On January 31, as Britain, France and North Korea airlift their nationals, Italy declares a state of emergency.
The US says on February 1 it is banning the entry of foreign nationals who had recently travelled to China, a move followed by other countries.
Read more: US declares virus ’emergency,’ bans travelers from China
First deaths outside China
On February 2, Wenzhou -- around 800 kilometres (500 miles) from Wuhan -- becomes the second city to be locked down.
The Philippines reports the first coronavirus death outside China.
Read more: PH reports 1st coronavirus death
China says it will pump in 1.2 trillion yuan ($173 billion) to protect growth. Chinese stocks collapse on February 3, the first day of trading since the holiday.
On February 4, Hong Kong reports a coronavirus death, the second outside the mainland.
Read more: Hong Kong records first virus death, Macau shuts casinos
Singapore announces its first cases of local transmissions. Gaming centre Macao closes its casinos for two weeks.
Read more: Singapore announces first local coronavirus transmissions
The WHO says the outbreak does not yet constitute a "pandemic".
Cruise ship infections
On February 5, Hong Kong announces a mandatory two-week quarantine for all travellers from mainland China.
Millions more on the Chinese mainland are told to stay at home.
Twenty people on a cruise ship off the Japanese coast test positive for the virus, with around 3,700 onboard.
Airbus closes an aircraft production facility in Tianjin near Beijing, and Vietnam joins countries banning arrivals from China.
Read more: Thousands quarantined on Asian cruise ships in virus fight