The coronovirus outbreak that began from a sea-food market in Wuhan, China, in late December, has now reached almost every corner of the planet infecting 9.61 million people and resulting in the deaths of 4,89,000. 

Stunned by the enormity of the medical task that the infection presented, countries struggled to contain and check Covid-19. With no known vaccine or drug available even countries like the United States, that boasts of a world class healthcare system, were found wanting in their response.

Within 19 days of the first infections being reported in Wuhan, the US reported its first case in Washington. On January 19, 2020, a 35-year-old man in Snohomish County, Washington, showed symptoms of cough and fever. He had returned to the US on January 15 after traveling to visit family in Wuhan, China. A day later he tested positive for Covid-19. By the month end the patient was well on way to full recovery.

Three weeks later, on February 26, 2020, US’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case local transmission of COVID-19 in California.  The patient had no travel history to an outbreak area, nor contact with anyone diagnosed with the virus. This was followed by possible community transfer of the virus in Oregon, Washington and New York.

Just days after the first community transfer, the country reported its first Covid-19 death on February 29. A man with no travel history to China died in Kirkland, Washington. Two deaths earlier on February 26 in the same area were later recorded as the first Covid-19 deaths in the United States.

By the first week of April, the United States surpassed all other nations in the reported number of people infected with the coronavirus. Officials recorded nearly 190,000 with the death toll of 4100. This a month after President had declared that the virus was ‘very much under control’.

Trump who had been pushing for quick return to normalcy decided to extended lockdown and social distancing regulation till the end of April even as healthcare officials struggled to find enough ventilators, protective gear, and other supplies.