The COVID-19 Timeline (December 2019 - July 2021)
Updated: Aug 20, 2021
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have tracked daily COVID-19 related news headlines to reflect on how this seemingly never-ending situation has progressed. This timeline does not capture everything that has happened, and the reader should keep in mind this list was mostly updated daily as events occurred, not retroactively. Either way, here is a look at the COVID-19 timeline from its beginning through July 2021.
December 27th, 2019: Hubei (China) Provincial Hospital tells health officials there is a novel Coronavirus with at least 180 people infected.
December 31st, 2019: China informs the World Health Organization (WHO) of several cases of Pneumonia in Wuhan.
January 7th, 2020: Announcement of new virus named 2019-nCov.
January 11th, 2020: China announces first death from the novel Coronavirus.
January 13th, 2020: WHO confirms first positive case outside of china in Thailand.
January 14th, 2020: Democratic Primary presidential debate, zero mentions of virus.
January 20th, 2020: First American diagnosed with the novel Coronavirus, who had recently traveled to Wuhan, China.
January 31st, 2020: Trump announces a ban on travel from China. Italy has first confirmed cases.
February 5th, 2020: Around 3,700 people are being held on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.
February 10th, 2020: President Trump says the virus will be gone by April.
February 11th, 2020: The WHO announces the name of COVID-19 as the name of the disease. Additionally, the virus is formally named SARS-CoV-2, over the original name of 2019-nCov.
February 12th, 2020: The Dow Jones at 29,551 points.
February 20th, 2020: There are 2,244 total deaths from virus, all but 11 occurring in China.
February 25th, 2020: The Democratic Primary debate in Charleston, SC occurs where there are 6 total mentions of the virus by candidates.
March 1st, 2020: First known US death from COVID-19 occurs in Washington State.
March 4th, 2020: Starbucks stops allowing reusable cups. James Bond film announces scheduled release moved to November.
March 5th, 2020: US Women's National Team game in Orlando, FL announces fans to have limited interaction with players over COVID-19 concerns.
March 6th, 2020: ULTRA Music Festival cancelled.
March 7th, 2020: New York State has 89 total known cases of COVID-19.
March 8th, 2020: The State Department announces Americans shouldn't travel on cruises.
March 9th, 2020: President Trump announces a plan to help hourly workers who are facing layoffs.
March 10th, 2020: The University of California announces they are moving all classes online. Panama experiences their first COVID-19 death.
March 11th, 2020: The NCAA announces games with no fans. The NBA shuts down. President Trump announces Europeans travel ban to the United States. Tom Hanks announces he and his wife has the virus. The World Health Organization declares a Pandemic.
March 12th, 2020: The NHL and MLB shuts down. NCAA Basketball Tournaments cancelled.
March 13th, 2020: President Trump announces support for H.R. 6201, a bill to help pay for testing and paid sick leave for impacted workers. The Washington Monument shuts down.
March 14th, 2020: President Trump announces National Emergency. Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, announces that "we will see more suffering and deaths predominantly among the vulnerables in our society.... and the elderly".
March 15th, 2020: Massachusetts Governor announces schools closed, no groups of 25 people, restaurants dine out only. Democratic Debate, with no audience and 6 feet of separation between candidates with no handshakes allowed. COVID-19 mentioned 20 times.
March 16th, 2020: Worldwide evacuation of the U.S. Peace Corps.
March 17th, 2020: President Trump announces plan to send checks to Americans to help. Florida governor orders schools closed until April 15th.
March 18th, 2020: President Trump announces a border closed with Canada.
March 19th, 2020: China announces no new local virus cases were recorded in the day.
March 20th, 2020: President Trump announces closure of border with Mexico. Dow Jones at 19,152 points. 627 deaths in one day in Italy.
March 21st, 2020: Vice President Pence, wife test negative for COVID-19.
March 22nd, 2020: Canada will not send athletes to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. US Senator Rand Paul tests positive.
March 23rd, 2020: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are postponed to 2021.
March 24th, 2020: President Trump announces he wants country back open by Easter. Indian Prime Minister announces nationwide shelter in place for all 1.3 Billion residents.
March 25th, 2020: US Senate reached agreement for $2 Trillion stimulus bill.
March 26th, 2020: 3.3 million Americans file for unemployment within the previous week. The United States of America has the most cases of COVID-19 in the world, surpassing China and Italy.
March 27th, 2020: British PM Boris Johnson confirmed to have COVID-19. The US House of Representatives passes $2.2 Trillion stimulus package, sending to the president for approval and he signs it into law.
March 28th, 2020: CDC announces travel advisory for Americans to avoid non-essential travel to NJ, NY, and CT.
March 29th, 2020: President Trump announces social distancing guidelines will remain until at least April 30th. Florida Governor DeSantis announces road checks on Interstate 95 at state line to check for fleeing New Yorkers bringing the virus to Florida.
March 30th, 2020: New York State has 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.
March 31st, 2020: White House announces we could see a minimum of 82,000 Americans die by August. Mass Governor extends shelter in place until May 4th for state.
April 1st, 2020: Florida governor announces a statewide shelter in place to begin on April 3rd for 30 days. Wimbledon cancelled.
April 2nd, 2020: Democratic National Convention postponed to Mid-August. First patients brought to the Medical Ship in NYC. World cases surpass 1,000,000.
April 3rd, 2020: CDC recommends cloth facemasks.
April 4th, 2020: New Orleans morgues are effectively full.
April 5th, 2020: Boris Johnson admitted to hospital. Navy Captain Crozier has COVID-19. Boston Mayor announces everyone must wear mask.
April 6th, 2020: 10,000 Americans are confirmed dead.
April 7th, 2020: More Americans have died from COVID-19 than H1N1, the last major pandemic in the United States.
April 8th, 2020: NYC looking into mass grave sites.
April 9th, 2020: 1 in 10 Americans have lost their job in the last 3 weeks.
April 10th, 2020: 100,000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19.
April 11th, 2020: NYC schools closed until September.
April 12th, 2020: President Trump retweets that Dr. Fauci should be fired.
April 13th, 2020: US Governors begin pacts to reopen states.
April 14th, 2020: President Trump ends World Health Organization funding from the United States.
April 15th, 2020: President Trump says the USA is past the peak of cases.
April 16th, 2020: 667,000 Confirmed American cases with around 33,000 dead.
April 17th, 2020: 4,591 Americans die in 24 hours.
April 18th, 2020: Florida schools are closed for year.
April 19th, 2020: US Governors plea for more testing supplies from the federal government.
April 20th, 2020: Researchers announce needs for ramped up testing nationwide.
April 21st, 2020: CDC announces possibility for deadlier strain in late fall or winter.
April 22nd, 2020: Over 10,000 Americans have died in just nursing homes and long care health facilities. First evidence of a house cat getting the virus identified in New York. Doctor fired from federal position for questioning Hydroxychloroquine effectiveness.
April 23rd, 2020: 26 million Americans have cumulatively lost their jobs, equivalent in magnitude to the smallest 25 states’ working populations combined.
April 24th, 2020: 50,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19.
April 25th, 2020: Hawaii extends stay at home order until May 31st. 3,363 NYPD cops have returned to work post positive diagnosis and recovery.
April 26th, 2020: Italy’s funeral ban to be lifted May 4th. Spain allows children to leave homes for first time in 6 weeks.
April 27th, 2020: For the first time in 63 years, Miami has gone 7 weeks without a murder, presumably from everyone staying inside.
April 28th, 2020: One Million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19.
April 29th, 2020: Florida announces plan for following Monday for slowly reopening the state, beginning with restaurants at 25% capacity, amongst other things.
April 30th, 2020: 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment. NASCAR to restart May 17th without fans.
May 1st, 2020: Governor Baker of Massachusetts announces you must wear masks in public if you can't keep 6 feet of separation.
May 2nd, 2020: 66,000 plus Americans dead.
May 3rd, 2020: VP Pence admits he should have worn a mask when visiting the Mayo Clinic.
May 4th, 2020: 67,000 Americans dead. Recent CDC projections estimate at least 134,000 will die overall.
May 5th, 2020: New genetic analysis indicates the virus was spreading around the world in late 2019.
May 6th, 2020: By the upcoming weekend, at least 43 states will have partially or completely reopened. 71,000 Americans are dead. A "documentary" Plandemic explodes on social media across pandemic skeptics that purports the entire thing is a hoax.
May 7th, 2020: The US Supreme Court holds arguments over the phone (and a toilet flushes).
May 8th, 2020: Unemployment at 14.7%. Highest since Great Depression.
May 9th, 2020: VP Mike Pence’s press secretary has the virus.
May 10th, 2020: 4 million confirmed global cases.
May 11th, 2020: 80,000 plus Americans have died from COVID-19.
May 12th, 2020: Dr. Fauci announces it is unlikely colleges should allow students back on campus in fall.
May 13th, 2020: Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down state’s stay at home order.
May 14th, 2020: 36.5 million Americans have been laid off. NYC hasn't seen a pedestrian death in 58 days.
May 15th, 2020: At least 4.5 million cases of COVID-19 confirmed worldwide.
May 16th, 2020: Spain to slowly reopen some hotels, etc. under strict guidelines.
May 17th, 2020: Brazil becomes 4th worst hit country in world.
May 18th, 2020: Moderna announces successful vaccine results. Trump announces he is taking hydroxychloroquine.
May 19th, 2020: CDC releases 60-page plan to guide the reopening of America.
May 20th, 2020: Brazil hits daily record high for deaths. All of the United States has entered some form of reopening. 92,000 confirmed American deaths.
May 21st, 2020: Trump tours a Michigan Ford factory producing ventilators and doesn't wear a mask for most of it. Trump announces all flags to be at half-mast to show respect for the Americans that have died.
May 22nd, 2020: Trump announces houses of worship are deemed essential and must reopen. Patrick Ewing has COVID-19.
May 23rd, 2020: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay announces they are reopening on June 5th.
May 24th, 2020: New York Times publishes Sunday edition with 1000 victims’ names. White House bans non-US Citizens from Brazil.
May 25th, 2020: Memorial Day 2020 sees many large mask-less crowds all around America celebrating. 98,184 Americans dead. Daily national positives on steady decline.
May 26th, 2020: WHO halts hydroxychloroquine study due to safety concerns.
May 27th, 2020: Walt Disney World announces they will reopen July 11th. Dr. Fauci says he is feeling better and better about government’s capability to handle it, particularly for a resurgence. 100,000 Americans are dead.
May 28th, 2020: 40 million Americans have cumulatively lost their job. The Boston Marathon officially cancelled for year.
May 29th, 2020: Trump announces an end to US relations with the World Health Organization.
May 30th, 2020: Mexico, and most of Latin America is now considered the new virus epicenter.
May 31st, 2020: Concerns grow over the potential for virus spread during the Nationwide George Floyd protests.
June 1st, 2020: Brazil has 514,000 confirmed cases, number 2 in the world to the USA.
June 2nd, 2020: Iran records highest daily positives in over 2 months with over 3,000 new positives. 133 total vaccines being developed for COVID-19 around the world.
June 3rd, 2020: 6.4 million cases confirmed worldwide, 380,000 deaths. Australia officially in a recession.
June 4th, 2020: Dr. Fauci says it may be a reach to not have school in session for kids in the fall. NBA announces return to action in July at the ESPN Disney complex.
June 5th, 2020: US unemployment rate drops to 13.3% and 2.5 million jobs created, a sort of economic inflection as states reopen.
June 6th, 2020: 110,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.
June 7th, 2020: New Zealand announces it has zero new COVID-19 patients and the island is free from the virus completely.
June 8th, 2020: USA running out of supply of Remdesivir. Economists announce the USA entered a recession in February. WHO Announces asymptomatic people may not spread the virus easily.
June 9th, 2020: Harvard study suggests the COVID-19 was spreading as early as potentially August in and around Wuhan, China based on hospital and internet search data. WHO walks back "very rare" spreading of virus through asymptomatic individuals.
June 10th, 2020: COVID-19 cases rising in 21 states.
June 11th, 2020: Coachella and Stagecoach cancelled for rest of year. US passes 2 million confirmed cases. Total US deaths expected to double by October.
June 12th, 2020: Both Florida and Texas record single day highest positive results.
June 13th, 2020: At least 10 Iowa State student athletes test positive for COVID-19.
June 14th, 2020: France to ease lockdown restrictions starting the next day. 115,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19.
June 15th, 2020: FDA terminates emergency use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. GOP Rep Tim Rice tests positive.
June 16th, 2020: Study finds Dexamethasone effective for treating COVID-19.
June 17th, 2020: Rent prices, particularly of the high end, across the United States dropping significantly from previous years including a 9% drop in rent costs for a 1 bedroom in San Francisco versus the previous year.
June 18th, 2020: Dr. Fauci warns of "anti-science bias" being a problem in the US. Florida and Texas governors say their spikes are due to increased testing, and small hotspots such as jails and migrant communities, and not from reopening.
June 19th, 2020: Florida sees a daily increase of 3,822 new cases. A state record.
June 20th, 2020: 6 Trump campaign staffers in Tulsa prepping for the rally test positive for COVID-19.
June 21st, 2020: Spain reopens border to tourists. 120,000 Dead Americans.
June 22nd, 2020: Massachusetts currently has lowest infection rate in the United States of COVID-19. Some public health officials resigning over threats against them.
June 23rd, 2020: Massachusetts reports that out of 17,617 BLM protestors tested for COVID-19, only 2.5% tested positive. MLB announces return in July with a 60-game season.
June 24th, 2020: NY, NJ, and CT announce mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from states with high infection rates. Single largest number of infections in a day in USA with 36,975.
June 25th, 2020: Three NC Sheriffs announce they will not enforce a NC order to wear face masks. Texas congressional delegation asks feds to maintain testing sites in Texas.
June 26th, 2020: Texas governor orders all bars closed in the state. Florida records 8,942 new cases, a record for the state, and 11th worst day ever for a state, after 10 worse days in NY. Florida announces all bars to stop serving alcohol immediately.
June 27th, 2020: Florida reports 9,585 new cases, another record. Miami announces closure of beaches for 4th of July. USA hits 2.5 Million total cases.
June 28th, 2020: Worldwide cases top 10 million, with at least 500,000 deaths. Video comes out showing Trump campaign officials removing thousands of stickers from seats at the Tulsa rally that promoted social distancing.
June 29th, 2020: Jacksonville, FL, the site of the moved RNC, announces fast mask requirements, going against Trumps desire for no masks at the RNC. GOP Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered the closure of bars and gyms, a ban on mass gatherings and has delayed the start of in-person schooling as the state faces record-breaking cases in COVID-19 ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.
June 30th, 2020: European Union announces American Citizens will be barred from entering due to virus trend in USA. For the first time in over 3 months, no new COVID-19 deaths in a day in Massachusetts.
July 1st, 2020: Single day COVID-19 case record in the USA with 48,477 new cases.
July 2nd, 2020: Jobless rate comes down to 11.1%. States begin closing back down some businesses such as bars and restaurants. Massachusetts announces phase 3 begins next Monday which includes gyms, museums, and casinos. Texas governor signs new law requiring masks in public if a county has more than 20 cases.
July 3rd, 2020: An 11 year old boy in Florida dies from COVID-19. Approximately 130,000 Dead Americans. Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle tests positive.
July 4th, 2020: 11,458 new cases in Florida, a new record.
July 5th, 2020: Broadway actor Nick Cordero passes away from COVID-19 complications at the age of 41.
July 6th, 2020: Miami re-closes all restaurants.
July 7th, 2020: Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro tests positive for COVID-19. The United States formally withdraws from WHO. 43 Hospital ICUs in 21 Florida counties are at bed capacity.
July 8th, 2020: The USA surpasses 3 million total cases. The Ivy League cancels the entire fall sports season.
July 9th, 2020: The CDC announces school reopening guidelines will not change, going against what President Trump and VP Pence wanted.
July 10th, 2020: WHO reports COVID-19 can exist in the air in certain indoor situations.
July 11th, 2020: Disney World Reopens in Orlando, FL. Florida reports 10,383 new cases in the day. Florida has the second highest rate of increase in world after Arizona. Donald Trump publicly wears a mask for the first time while visiting Walter Reed Hospital.
July 12th, 2020: 15,300 new cases in Florida. A single day record for any state on any day. NYC reports zero new COVID-19 deaths in a day for the first time since March.
July 13th, 2020: Researchers announce preliminary research indicates that immunity goes away after a few months.
July 14th, 2020: The RNC is moving to put their 3 day Jacksonville Convention outdoors.
July 15th, 2020: Walmart announces all customers will be required to wear facemasks in their stores. The Head of the Charles Regatta is cancelled. Republican Oklahoma Governor Kenny Stitt tests positive for COVID-19.
July 16th, 2020: Starting next week, all Publix locations will require facemasks inside. Florida records a state record 156 deaths in one day. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp bans localities from enforcing mask requirements in public.
July 17th, 2020: Approximately 3.6 million confirmed cases and 140,000 confirmed dead in the United States. The Southeastern Conference announces any student athletes who opt out of fall sports for safety will have scholarships honored.
July 18th, 2020: Canada announces the Toronto Blue Jays will not be allowed to host teams under the new MLB Schedule of 30 home and 30 road games.
July 19th, 2020: 85 babies under the age of 1 have tested positive for COVID-19 in one Texas County since March.
July 20th, 2020: The Bahamas bans all Americans from entering their country due to COVID-19 concerns. The University of Oxford announces successful trials of COVID-19 vaccine in humans.
July 21st, 2020: President Trump says the virus will get worse before it gets better and also said "whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact". The NFL Players Association agrees to drop all preseason games from upcoming NFL season.
July 22nd, 2020: 15 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world, with 618,000 confirmed deaths.
July 23rd, 2020: Florida sets a new in state record with 173 deaths in a day. The USA passes 4 million confirmed cases. The RNC in Jacksonville is cancelled.
July 24th, 2020: 150 health professionals in a letter ask for the country to shut back down completely to stop the virus. ICE announces incoming new international students will not be allowed to enter the USA if their classes are only online. The Toronto Blue Jays will play home games in Buffalo.
July 25th, 2020: A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant dies from COVID-19 days after attending an in-person training that didn't require masks or social distancing.
July 26th, 2020: Dr. Fauci says a vaccine likely won't be available until a few months into 2021.
July 27th, 2020: A US firm begins the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccine study with 30,000 volunteers. Google announces it will allow employees to work from home until July 2021. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brian tests positive for COVID-19.
July 28th, 2020: The Miami Marlins season suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak. Florida sets a new in-state death record of 191 in a day.
July 29th, 2020: Florida sets another state record with 216 deaths in a day. A group calling themselves "America's Frontline Doctors" meets with VP Pence to discuss why their video was removed from social media, where they said masks aren't necessary, and hydroxychloroquine is a viable treatment. There are 150,000 confirmed dead Americans. The ACC announces their football teams will play in conference games only, aside from 1 non-conference opponent.
July 30th, 2020: The US Economy shrank 33% in the previous quarter. President Trump calls for delaying the US presidential elections over concerns on potential widespread voter fraud from citizens voting by mail due to COVID-19 concerns. He himself votes by mail. Hermann Cain dies from COVID-19. The NBA restarts in Orlando, Florida.
July 31st, 2020: Federal unemployment benefits of $600 a week set to expire for individuals who lost their job due to COVID-19.
August 1st, 2020: California becomes first state to report over 500,000 total COVID-19 cases.
August 2nd, 2020: White House testing Czar Adm. Brett Giroir concluded Hydroxychloroquine is not an effective COVID-19 treatment.
August 3rd, 2020: The British government has procured millions of COVID-19 tests that give results in 90 minutes. Eagles coach Doug Pederson has COVID-19. 5 million Melbourne, Australia residents face strict new measures, where only 1 individual per home may leave the home a maximum of once per day within a 5 km distance of the home.
August 4th, 2020: Spirit Airlines announces they are furloughing 2,500 employees starting October 1st. 155,000 Americans are dead.
August 5th, 2020: UCONN is the first FBS School to cancel their 2020 football season. Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic Party nomination at the convention.
August 6th, 2020: 20th straight week with at least 1 million requests for jobless aid. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of a visit from President Trump.
August 7th, 2020: At least 1 in 75 Americans have been infected with over 160,000 deaths. At least 26 vaccines worldwide are undergoing human trials.
August 8th, 2020: The USA surpasses 5 million confirmed cases. New Zealand announces zero new COVID-19 cases in the last 100 days.
August 9th, 2020: Nearly 200 Indian doctors have died from COVID-19.
August 10th, 2020: The Big 10 conference and PAC-12 Conference announces no fall football season.
August 11th, 2020: Russia becomes the first nation to approve a vaccine for COVID-19.
August 12th, 2020: The USA is in a 16th straight day of over 1,000 daily deaths. Worldwide approximately 745,000 have died.
August 13th, 2020: First week since March where new jobless claims were below 1 million in the USA. Boston Public Schools delay first day to September 21st. The NCAA announces no fall championships.
August 14th, 2020: USA and Canada border closure extended until September 21st. The US Postal Service sends out a warning to all 50 states and Washington, DC that there may be a risk to voters not getting their ballots back to election offices in time to be counted.
August 15th, 2020: The NYC 9/11 Memorial announces the "Tribute in Light" will move forward after generous donations helped cover the extra cost needed to safely prepare the site for the event by workers.
August 16th, 2020: The MSC Grandiosa Cruise Ship sets sail from Italy in the Mediterranean, the first cruise in 5 months in the area.
August 17th, 2020: The Canadian Football League cancels its season. The USA has 170,000 deaths. UNC announces all classes would go online immediately after large COVID outbreaks on campus during in person classes. The Democratic National Convention begins, virtually.
August 18th, 2020: The S&P 500 finishes at its highest point ever. The New England Patriots announce no fans through September at games.
August 19th, 2020: Health officials announce COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death for the entire United States thus far in the year.
August 20th, 2020: Florida has passed 10,000 total COVID-19 deaths.
August 21st, 2020: At least 800,000 COVID-19 deaths in the world.
August 22nd, 2020: At least 15 states are experiencing positive cases on college campuses. The White House designates teachers as essential workers.
August 23rd, 2020: The FDA gives emergency authorization to treat COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma.
August 24th, 2020: Researchers in Hong Kong identified the first documented instance of someone being infected with COVID-19 a second time. Scientists at the University of Hong Kong said a patient got COVID-19 a second time 4 and a half months after the initial infection, and that the genomic sequence of the virus strain for the first infection was different than that of the second.
August 25th, 2020: Legendary runner Usain Bolt tests positive for COVID-19.
August 26th, 2020: CDC quietly changes testing criteria to say that an individual in contact with someone with COVID-19 does not need to be tested unless they display symptoms.
August 27th, 2020: White House admits they changed the CDC guidance on asymptomatic testing due to a backlog in testing. FDA grants emergency approval for $5 15-minute antigen tests.
August 28th, 2020: A Nevada lab reports first confirmed reinfection in the USA of COVID-19. 181,000 dead Americans.
August 29th, 2020: The University of Alabama has reported over 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 amongst students within the last two weeks.
August 30th, 2020: FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said he is willing to fast-track a COVID-19 vaccine before clinical trials are complete if it is determined to be “appropriate," noting an emergency use authorization could be made for certain groups.
August 31st, 2020: The USA has surpassed 6 million total confirmed cases.
September 1st, 2020: Florida fires Quest Diagnostics from performing any tests for state departments due to poor COVID test result turnaround times and data mismanagement. The CDC issues a nationwide eviction moratorium through the remainder of the year.
September 2nd, 2020: The CDC has told states to prepare to distribute COVID-19 vaccines as soon as late October. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announces he and his entire family tested positive for COVID-19.
September 3rd, 2020: Actor Robert Pattinson tests positive for COVID-19. Dr. Fauci pleads for people to be safe on Labor Day weekend to prevent another surge.
September 4th, 2020: The unemployment rate drops to 8.4%, with 1.4 million new jobs added to the economy in August. 11.5 million net jobs still gone since the beginning of the pandemic. Rival vaccine producers agree to withhold asking for approval for use until all clinical trials complete.
September 5th, 2020: Northeastern University bans 11 students who did not follow COVID-19 rules for a semester and will not issue refunds for the students.
September 6th, 2020: Thousands of San Diego State students ordered to quarantine inside dorms due to a campus outbreak.
September 7th, 2020: More young adults live at home now than during the Great Depression, according to a Pew Research poll, as 52% reported living with one or both of their parents in July.
September 8th, 2020: AstraZeneca puts stage 3 COVID-19 vaccine on hold to investigate a serious side effect on one patient.
September 9th, 2020: Governor of NY announces restaurants in NYC can reopen at 25% indoor capacity on Sept 30th. Author Bob Woodward releases notes and recordings from old interviews with President Trump where the president says the virus is as much as 5 times deadlier than the flu and is airborne as early as February 7th.
September 10th, 2020: 190,000 Americans are dead. The number of Americans applying for jobless aid was unchanged last week at 884,000, a sign that layoffs are stuck at a historically high level six months after the viral pandemic flattened the economy. Due to restructured sport season schedules around COVID-19, it is the first day ever that the NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, WNBA, and MLS play on the same day.
September 11th, 2020: Dr. Fauci says Americans need to 'hunker down' this fall and winter as COVID-19 pandemic will likely worsen. The CDC estimates you are 2 times likelier to contract the virus by eating out.
September 12th, 2020: AstraZeneca restarts their vaccine trials. Canada announces no new deaths in a day from COVID-19 for the first time in 6 months.
September 13th, 2020: The first Sunday with the NFL begins with all home team stadiums devoid of fans, except the Jacksonville Jaguars with 14,100 fans.
September 14th, 2020: Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine isolated “the smallest biological molecule” that “completely and specifically neutralizes” the virus that causes COVID-19. Florida reopens bars and breweries to 50% capacity.
September 15th, 2020: At least 176 COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths are confirmed to have originated from a Maine wedding with none of the 7 who died attended the wedding. Concerns grow over Western states’ populations being exposed to massive wildfires, leading to maskless crowds in evacuation shelters, wanting to move dining options inside to avoid smoke, and increased coughing. A mask-less flash mob invaded a Ft. Lauderdale Target to encourage customers to remove their masks in protest of mask mandates.
September 16th, 2020: The Big 10 conference will play college football starting October 23rd. The Federal Reserve announce interest rates will remain near zero through 2023 to hopefully facilitate the economy growing back.
September 17th, 2020: Twitter suspends a Chinese virologist’s account who had spread a conspiracy theory that SARS-CoV-2 was made in a Wuhan lab. The CDC announces that their scientists did not write the testing guidance published the previous month, and that the guidance was published despite their objections.
September 18th, 2020: The CDC announces a reversal to their recently updated, criticized guidance which had said symptom free people who have been in close contact with an infected person do not need a test.
September 19th, 2020: Researches find that stress and depression has risen amongst Americans as the pandemic spreads. President Trump announces he expects there to be enough vaccines for all Americans by April 2021.
September 20th, 2020: New cases begin up-ticking again in the United States, driving concerns for another large outbreak. Updated CDC guidelines say COVID-19 can spread through the air through tiny particles that linger.
September 21st, 2020: A Yelp report identifies that as many as 60% of all businesses that were shut down from the pandemic have been shut down permanently. The CDC pulls their recently updated guidelines saying COVID-19 can spread through the air through tiny particles that linger in the air. The NFL fines three head coaches $100,000 each and their respective teams $250,000 each for violating the mask policy during games.
September 22nd, 2020: COVID-19 is now the second leading cause of death in the United States. At least 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Miami Dade school district announces a reopening schools 5 days a week in Mid October. September 23rd, 2020: Johnson & Johnson announces their COVID-19 vaccine, the only one in the US that is meant to be one dose, is the 4th vaccine to enter phase 3 trials. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield says that 90% of Americans remain susceptible to COVID-19. September 24th, 2020: The PAC-12 conference announces they will have a football season beginning November 6th. September 25th, 2020: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces a lift on all opening restrictions in the state for businesses and enters phase 3. September 26th, 2020: A new study finds that, through blood samples, less than 10% of Americans have been infected by COVID-19. More than 1,000 NYC residents test positive for COVID-19 in a day for the first time since early June. September 27th, 2020: For the first time, Minnesota has seen 3 straight days of 1,000 plus new cases of COVID-19 amongst surges in other Midwestern states. September 28th, 2020: Dr. Fauci warns Florida and Governor DeSantis saying lifting COVID-19 infection counter-measures are very concerning and that the government is asking for trouble. As many as 120 million rapid COVID-19 tests to be deployed by two companies soon, giving results in as little as 15 minutes. The CDC releases guidelines on how to have safe holiday activities. Worldwide, 1 million people have been confirmed to have died from COVID-19. September 29th, 2020: No handshakes at the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans go into quarantine for a COVID-19 outbreak. Disney lays off 28,000 workers as Florida's tourism industry falls flat. September 30th, 2020: The NFL postpones the Titans-Steelers game for the upcoming weekend due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
October 1st, 2020: Boston Public Schools reopen for in person class. Maryland reports no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 28th. The US House passes a $2.2 Trillion COVID19 stimulus bill. White House advisor Hope Hicks tests positive for COVID-19 after traveling with President Trump to Minnesota, and the President goes into quarantine.
October 2nd, 2020: President Trump and the First Lady test positive for COVID-19. Vice President Pence and the second lady tests negative. White House Advisor Kellyanne Conway has COVID-19.
October 3rd, 2020: Cam Newton of the New England Patriots tests positive for COVID-19, delaying the Patriots-Chiefs game scheduled for Sunday. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie tests positive for COVID-19.
October 4th, 2020: New York City plans to close schools and some businesses in nine neighborhoods that have had a virus spike. Japanese designer Kenzo Takada dies from COVID-19. President Trump brings his motorcade around Walter Reed Hospital where he resides as a COVID-19 patient to wave to supporters out front of the hospital.
October 5th, 2020: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tests positive for COVID-19. The CDC re-updates their guidance to state COVID-19 can be spread by airborne transmission. The President is released from the hospital.
October 6th, 2020: 210,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19. Senior Pentagon officials go into quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 from a Coast Guard Commander.
October 7th, 2020: Vice Presidential debate happens on schedule with plexiglass separating candidates Mike Pence and Kamala Harris.
October 8th, 2020: It is announced the next presidential debate on October 15th will be done virtually, and President Trump announces his refusal to attend.
October 9th, 2020: The Commission on Presidential Debates cancels the upcoming virtual debate after President Trump refuses to participate.
October 10th, 2020: President Trumps doctors give him clearance to return to in person events.
October 11th, 2020: The NFL moves the Patriots-Broncos game to next week after another positive test in the Patriots team. The United States reported 57,420 new coronavirus cases, the highest number of new daily cases since August. The Broadway shutdown in NYC is extended until May 30th.
October 12th, 2020: President Trump tests negative for COVID-19, signaling an all clear for the president to resume activities. Johnson & Johnson halts their vaccine trial due to one participants "unexplained illness".
October 13th, 2020: President Trump tweets that Dr. Fauci's pitching arm is more accurate than his COVID-19 prognostications. 215,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19. Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous soccer player, tests positive for COVID-19.
October 14th, 2020: The Southeastern Conference announces the Florida-LSU football game to be postponed to December 12th due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Florida Gators team. Barron Trump, the teenage son of President Trump, tests negative for COVID-19 after previously testing positive. Alabama Football head coach Nick Saban tests positive for COVID-19.
October 15th, 2020: Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris suspends travel after 2 staffers test positive for COVID-19. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the USA-Canada border would not reopen when its closure agreement expires Oct. 21.
October 16th, 2020: The USA Federal deficit hit $3.1 trillion, a record, due to spending for COVID-19 relief. At least 8 million Americans have been infected with COVID-19.
October 17th, 2020: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announces the senate will vote in the next week on a $500 Billion COVID-19 relief bill, which is substantially less than the White House proposal of $1.8 Trillion. University of Florida head football coach Dan Mullen tests positive for COVID-19.
October 18th, 2020: Chinas economy grew 4.9% in the third quarter while many other nations struggle with COVID-19.
October 19th, 2020: Confirmed Worldwide cases of COVID-19 surpass 40 million. NYC finds that out of 10,676 tests performed on NYC school children, only 18 students were found to be positive for COVID-19.
October 20th, 2020: With two weeks remaining until the election, record early voting and mail in ballot numbers are being recorded around the United States.
October 21st, 2020: In person schooling for Boston Public Schools suspended indefinitely. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy goes into quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. An AstraZeneca vaccine trial volunteer dies in Brazil from unknown causes.
October 22nd, 2020: In the final 2020 Presidential debate, President Trump says a vaccine for COVID-19 is only weeks away.
October 23rd, 2020: The USA sees the highest number of new cases of COVID-19 in a day ever with 79,000 new cases. Dr. Fauci says that the country should mandate mask use.
October 24th, 2020: Massachusetts reports 1,128 new cases of COVID-19, the most in a day since May 16th.
October 25th, 2020: Vice President Pence's Chief of Staff tests positive for COVID-19. France posts record number of cases in a day as Europe sees a second wave. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said "were not going to control the pandemic". The NFL fined the Tennessee Titans $350,000 for violating league COVID-19 protocols.
October 26th, 2020: There are 225,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19. October 27th, 2020: More than 66 million Americans have already voted by mail or voted early combined for the 2020 election, out numbering 2016's total early/mail voting with a week until the election, a sign that Americans wanted to avoid long lines on election day due to COVID-19. Connecticut adds Massachusetts to their travel advisory list. October 28th, 2020: LA Dodgers player Justin Turner celebrated their World Series win without a mask despite testing positive for COVID-19. Germany to shutter restaurants and bars for the month of November. The 2021 Boston Marathon is postponed from April 2021 to Fall 2021. October 29th, 2020: The US economy grew at a record 33.1% annual rate for the third quarter, but still remains below pre-pandemic levels. Italy sees a new record number of COVID-19 cases in a day with 26,831. The USA hits 9 million total cases. The USA sets a new single day record for new cases of COVID-19 with 86,600. October 30th, 2020: More Texas voters have voted early or voted by mail combined for the 2020 election than all of the states 2016 turnout combined. Taiwan records its 200th straight day without a local transmission of COVID-19. The CDC announces a lift to its no-sail orders for cruise ships will come in the near future. October 31st, 2020: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces nationwide shutdown to curtail latest COVID outbreak. The United States reports 100,233 new cases of COVID-19 in a day, a record. November 1st, 2020: Australia records no new local cases of COVID-19 in a day since June 9th. Massachusetts announces a requirement of facemasks in outdoor and indoor spaces even when able to social distance.
November 2nd, 2020: A new report shows 61,000 children contracted COVID-19 in the USA in the last week.
November 3rd, 2020: On the day of the US Presidential Election, tensions grow as a clear winner cannot be determined due to large amounts of mail in ballots, sent due to COVID-19 concerns yet to be counted in many key swing states.
November 4th, 2020: As many as 17 million minks in Denmark are to be culled after identifying a mutated strain of COVID-19 in the animals that could jump to humans.
November 5th, 2020: For a second straight day, the USA has 100,000 plus new COVID-19 cases.
November 6th, 2020: The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority announces $300 fines to any riders who don't wear a mask. The jobless rate falls to 6.9%. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive for COVID-19.
November 7th, 2020: President Elect Joe Biden begins to form a Coronavirus task force.
November 8th, 2020: More than 50 million cases of COVID-19 confirmed worldwide. The USA records 126,742 new cases in a day, a record since the pandemic began.
November 9th, 2020: Pfizer announces their COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective.
November 10th, 2020: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson tests positive for COVID-19.
November 11th, 2020: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to vaccinate vulnerable people by the end of December, first responders and health care workers by the end of January, and enough for all Americans by late March or Early April. Vermont suspends their travel map, forcing non-essential travelers to quarantine for 2 weeks upon entry to the state. Massachusetts begins planning locations for field hospitals as hospitalizations surge in the state. The United States sets a new record for hospitalizations with 61,000 active with COVID-19. College football games are postponed, including Ohio State vs Maryland, and LSU vs Alabama, due to University COVID-19 Outbreaks
November 12th, 2020: New England and New Jersey interstate youth hockey leagues are cancelled for remainder of year due to COVID-19 outbreaks on hockey teams. California becomes the second US state to surpass 1 million cases of COVID-19.
November 13th, 2020: At least 10,000 Massachusetts residents have died from COVID-19. Delta Airlines says at least 550 people are on their no fly list for not following mask compliance rules. President Trump announces that it is likely that there will be two vaccines and two therapeutics approved for emergency use by the end of the year.
November 14th, 2020: The USA adds over 184,000 new cases of COVID-19 in a day, a new record.
November 15th, 2020: Michigan health officials levy new restrictions on bars, restaurants, casinos and movie theaters, amongst others. Dr. Fauci says that the country isn't headed for a national lock down, but instead "surgical-type" local restrictions.
November 16th, 2020: Moderna announces their COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective in their trials. The NCAA announces their entire 2021 Men's March Madness tournament will be played at a single site.
November 17th, 2020: Michigan Republican Representative Tim Walberg tests positive for COVID-19. The 2021 Mardi Gras in New Orleans is cancelled. Senator Chuck Grassley tests positive for COVID-19.
November 18th, 2020: NYC shuts down all schools due to a COVID-19 spike. The FDA authorizes the first COVID-19 test for at home use. 250,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.
November 19th, 2020: The CDC updates travel guidelines to ask that Americans not travel at all for Thanksgiving. New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu announces a state wide mask mandate effective the following day. President-Elect Joe Biden says that he will not shut down the US economy to stop COVID-19 once in office. The USA records 2,015 deaths from COVID-19 in a day, the most since May. A national daily record of 80,698 people are hospitalized, and there were over 187,000 new cases reported.
November 20th, 2020: US Senator Rick Scott tests positive for COVID-19, and is displaying mild symptoms. Pfizer officially asks the FDA to authorize its vaccine. Donald Trump Junior tests positive for COVID-19.
November 21st, 2020: The CDC says that a majority of all COVID-19 infections originate from individuals who are not exhibiting symptoms. The US passes 12 million total cases. The FDA gave emergency authorization for the Regeneron treatment President Trump received for his COVID-19 treatment.
November 22nd, 2020: Senator Kelly Loeffler, facing a Georgia special election runoff, tests positive for COVID-19 and goes into quarantine. NYC still has hundreds of people that succumbed to COVID-19 stored in freezer trucks. 3 million people travel via airline in a day with Thanksgiving approaching, the most people flying in a day since the beginning of the pandemic.
November 23rd, 2020: Oxford University announces that their COVID-19 vaccine is 70% effective and could go as high as 90%. AstraZeneca says they will produce 3 billion doses, and that this vaccine is cheaper to produce and easier to store than other vaccines.
November 24th, 2020: NYC Authorities levy a $15,000 fine to a wedding that had thousands of attendees. The Dow Jones surpasses 30,000 points for the first time ever, making a full comeback from before the pandemic.
November 25th, 2020: Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon tests positive for COVID-19. On the eve of Thanksgiving, US airports have averaged around 1 million passengers a day leading up to the holiday, a steep decline from the previous year, and the biggest increase since the beginning of the pandemic.
November 26th, 2020: The US Supreme Court strikes down NY Governor Cuomo's Executive Order on houses of worship capacity restrictions where 10 people could attend service in a "Red Zone", and 25 in an "Orange Zone". The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade goes on with an 88% reduction in volunteer staff, and in person attendance also limited.
November 27th, 2020: The UK reports their "R Number", which indicates how much COVID-19 is being transmitted, has fallen to between 0.9 and 1.0. which is an indication the virus is not growing. United Airlines begins flying Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine around the globe in anticipation of its approval. Boston's Deer Island, the location of the wastewater plant for the city, sees its highest levels of COVID-19 detected in waste so far during the fall COVID-19 surge.
November 28th, 2020: Massachusetts removes Vermont from their low-risk travel list, making Hawaii the only state that can freely travel to Massachusetts without needing to quarantine or be tested prior to arrival. 26 million Americans report not having enough to eat, an all time high during the pandemic. In the NFL, The San Francisco 49ers can no longer play home games due to a local county health order, and the Denver Broncos sidelined all 4 quarterbacks on their roster due to COVID-19 exposure with a game tomorrow.
November 29th, 2020: The United Postal Service establishes their own dry ice facilities to manufacture and deliver the cold ice to hospitals carrying the vaccine that requires ultra low temperatures for storage. NYC Mayor De Blasio announces NYC elementary schools would reopen and hybrid learning would be phased out.
November 30th, 2020: Moderna announces they will apply to the FDA for authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine. White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Scott Atlas resigns from the committee.
December 1st, 2020: A new CDC study identifies that COVID-19 was circulating in the United States as early as Mid-December of 2019 based on over 100 blood samples in 9 states analyzed for antibodies. Florida becomes the third state to report 1 million cases of COVID-19. A CDC Panel recommends that long term health facilities and health care workers receive the vaccine first. At least 270,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Dr. Fauci says we may have herd immunity by the end of summer 2021 if enough Americans get vaccinated.
December 2nd, 2020: The UK becomes the first nation to approve the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC announces that they are going to reduce the necessary quarantine time for exposure to COVID-19 from 14 days to 10 days if you do not get tested, and 14 days to 7 days if you test negative. USA COVID-19 hospitalizations pass 100,000, breaking a record. The USA sets a new record for deaths from COVID-19 in a day with 3,157. Dr. Redfield of the CDC says that the winter will be "the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation." An analysis of CDC data by the New York Times finds the USA COVID-19 death count could be as high as 345,000 based on excess deaths from March 15th to November 14th compared to historical years.
December 3rd, 2020: President-Elect Joe Biden asks that when he takes office that all Americans wear a mask for 100 days to try and curb the virus spread.
December 4th, 2020: The US economy added 245,000 jobs in the previous month, but fell short of expectations. Unemployment drops to 6.7%. An analysis of cell phone data finds that only 5% fewer people traveled on Thanksgiving than in 2019. At least 276,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.
December 5th, 2020: Concerns mount over the possibility of delays in holiday gift giving do to a surge in shopping online for people avoiding in person shopping.
December 6th, 2020: President Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tests positive for COVID-19.
December 7th, 2020: President Trump to sign an executive order to prioritize the COVID-19 distribution for Americans over foreign nations.
December 8th, 2020: The UK begins vaccinating Britons, with Margaret Keenan, a retired 90 year old woman from Coventry, England, first in line, and the second person in line was 81 year old William Shakespeare of Warwickshire, England. Scott Gottlieb, formerly of the FDA, but now on the Pfizer Board of Directors, said that Pfizer offered the Trump administration multiple opportunities to buy more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but the administration declined.
December 9th, 2020: The United Arab Emirates announces their clinical trials of a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine is 86% effective. Canada authorizes the Pfizer COVID-19. The UK warns citizens that those with severe allergic reactions should avoid getting the vaccine as some patients have seemingly had allergic reactions to the vaccine.
December 10th, 2020: Moderna vaccinates the first adolescents in their vaccine trials for children. Ellen Degeneres tests positive for COVID-19. An FDA Panel recommends the FDA grant authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, with a final decision due in a few days. At least 3,157 Americans died from COVID-19 in a day, a new record for the nation. The recently elected New Hampshire Republican Speaker of the House Dick Hinch, who died one day earlier, is confirmed to have died of COVID-19.
December 11th, 2020: Governor Cuomo of NY bans indoor dining in New York City starting the following Monday. The FDA approves the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, a landmark step in the fight against the virus.
December 12th, 2020: Pfizer announces their vaccine will begin being shipped on Sunday from their Michigan manufacturing factory.
December 13th, 2020: Trucks begin delivering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine around the country.
December 14th, 2020: A New York City critical care nurse named Sandra Lindsay is believed to be the first person in the United States to receive the approved Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine as mass vaccinations begin in the country. 300,000 Americans have been confirmed dead from COVID-19. Researchers found that one boy from Milan, Italy in December 2019 may have had the same strain of COVID-19 as Wuhan, China.
December 15th, 2020: The FDA approves the first COVID-19 at home test kit that doesn't require a prescription.
December 16th, 2020: President-Elect Joe Biden expects to get the COVID-19 Vaccine, in public, as early as next week. A health care worker in Alaska experienced a severe allergic reaction to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and is in stable condition. Dr. Fauci urges parents to not see their kids for Christmas to help slow down COVID-19 spread.
December 17th, 2020: French President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19. The FDA Panel endorses Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.
December 18th, 2020: President-Elect Joe Biden asks for Americans to avoid traveling for his inauguration and to instead watch it on TV, avoiding COVID-19 risks from large gatherings. Vice President Pence and the Second Lady received their COVID-19 vaccine on television. The FDA authorizes the Moderna Vaccine for use. The USA records over 250,000 new COVID-19 cases in a day for the first time ever.
December 19th, 2020: The UK tightens restrictions as a new strain of COVID-19 that is up to 70% more contagious spreads. The College Football Playoff Semifinal game planned for the Rose Bowl in California is announced to be relocated to AT&T Stadium in Texas due to local COVID-19 restrictions.
December 20th, 2020: Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, and Italy ban flights to and from the United Kingdom due to the new COVID-19 strain. At least 1.8 million people have received a COVID-19 vaccine worldwide. A CDC Panel recommends that teachers, grocery store workers, and people over the age of 75 are next for COVID-19 vaccines. The Senate comes to an agreement on a $900 Billion COVID-19 relief bill.
December 21st, 2020: President-Elect Joe Biden received COVID-19 vaccine. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announces that more than 1,000 small businesses, of which 94% are minority owned, and 76% are women-owned, will be receiving pandemic grants to help keep them in business. Right-wing protestors show up at the Oregon State Capitol, demanding the governor resign over COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
December 22nd, 2020: Pfizer and Moderna begin testing their vaccine against the new strain of COVID-19 found in the UK to see if it still works. Dr. Fauci receives the COVID-19 vaccine. Three Dozen people at a Chilean Army Base in Antarctica test positive for COVID-19, meaning all continents on earth now have the virus circulating.
December 23rd, 2020: At least 326,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. It is expected that the United States will surpass 3 million deaths overall as a nation in a year, a record.
December 24th, 2020: France announces they will grant citizenship to immigrants who worked on the Frontline to battle the virus. A new British study finds the new Coronavirus variant found in the UK to be 56% more contagious than regular COVID-19 but not more deadly.
December 25th, 2020: President Trump to sign an order requiring all travelers from the UK to the US to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding.
December 26th, 2020: Senator Rick Scott asks that his COVID-19 vaccine along with other congressional members to be given to more vulnerable populations. One out of every 1,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Canadian officials confirm two cases of the new Coronavirus variant in Ontario from a couple who had not traveled to the United Kingdom.
December 27th, 2020: The European Union begins administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Millions of Americans unemployment insurance expire on the same day President Trump signs the pandemic bill to extend relief.
December 28th, 2020: The US House of Representatives passed a new stimulus bill for $2,000 checks for Americans, something President Trump also endorsed, which has an unknown fate in the US Senate.
December 29th, 2020: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocks the $2,000 check stimulus bill from being voted on in the Senate, opting to defer voting for another time. Colorado health authorities identify the UK based COVID-19 variant in residents of the state. Republican Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow of Louisiana dies from COVID-19. The UK gives Margaret Keenan, the first person in the world to receive the vaccine, her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, making her the first person to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
December 30th, 2020: The UK approves the University of Oxford/Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Dawn Wells, known for her role as Mary Ann in "Gilligan's Island" dies from COVID-19. The new UK based COVID-19 variant, formally called B.1.1.7, has been identified in California. The CDC warns that individuals that had severe allergic reactions to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not get the second shot.
December 31st, 2020: 7 States extend the interstate youth hockey ban until January 31st. A Wisconsin Pharmacist was fired and arrested for admitting to intentionally leaving more than 500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine out of refrigeration. Florida identified a man in their 20's in Martin County who is infected with the UK originated COVID-19 variant, who had no history of travel.
January 1st, 2021: At least 20 million Americans have contracted COVID-19. December was the deadliest month of the pandemic with at least 77,000 Americans dieing from COVID-19. A twelfth worker from poultry company Foster Farms in California dies from COVID-19. The New Orleans Saints Football Team Star Running Back Alvin Kamara is diagnosed with COVID-19. Video comes out of a New Years Eve event in Los Angeles hosted by Christian Singer and Activist Sean Feucht with 2,500 people in attendance while local cases of COVID-19 are surging. Republican State Senator Ben Chafin of Virginia dies from COVID-19.
January 2nd, 2021: Larry King, the broadcaster, has been hospitalized with COVID-19.
January 3rd, 2021: 350,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.
January 4th, 2021: An 82 year old man from Oxford is the first person to receive the AstraZeneca/Oxford Vaccine. Thailand imposes new restrictions in its capital Bangkok, including closing bars and restaurant's, amongst a spike in new infections. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson closes schools and imposes a new strict national lockdown as the new COVID-19 variant spreads rapidly.
January 5th, 2021: Los Angeles County instructs ambulances to leave patients who have little hope for survival due to the overwhelmed hospitals in the county with little to no beds left. There are 17 ICU beds left open in Los Angeles County. US Women's National Team Star Alex Morgan announces her and her family all contracted COVID-19 after a family gathering for the holidays.
January 6th, 2021: The UK sees 1,041 COVID-19 deaths in a day and the highest number of new cases in a day since testing began.
January 7th, 2021: The US sets a new record for deaths in a day with 4,112 Americans dieing from COVID-19. Florida sets a new record of COVID-19 cases in a day with 19,816 new cases.
January 8th, 2021: President-Elect Joe Biden announces he plans to distribute all remaining available vaccines once president rather than hold back for the second dose. Approximately 22 million doses of the vaccines have been distributed with almost 7 million administered. Los Angeles is experiencing 1 COVID-19 death every 8 minutes. Preliminary research suggests the Pfizer vaccine is effective against the UK COVID-19 variant.
January 9th, 2021: Theodore Lumpkin Jr, a famed member of the Tuskegee Airman, died from COVID-19.
January 10th, 2021: The NBA suspends the Celtics-Heat game due to COVID-19 infections.
January 11th, 2021: President-Elect Joe Biden receives the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. At least 2 Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo test positive for COVID-19, making them the first known great apes to contract the virus.
January 12th, 2021: Greenhouse games dropped 10% overall in 2020 versus 2019 in the United States, the lowest level in three decades, due to a slowed down economy from COVID-19 impacts. US Representative Pramila Jayapal tests positive for COVID-19, warning others who sheltered with her during the recent Capitol Building riot to get tested and claimed during the lockdown that her Republican colleagues refused to wear a mask. The US says it will soon recommend all residents over 65 years of age are eligible to get the vaccine 1st dose due to supply concerns. Moderna announces they expect their vaccine to give immunity to COVID-19 for a minimum of 1 year. China reintroduced a lockdown for 20 million residents from COVID-19 outbreaks. The USA will begin requiring all incoming international visitors to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding flights to the country. Governor Baker of Massachusetts announces Gillette Stadium will be the first mass vaccination site in Massachusetts, hosting up to 5,000 vaccinations a day.
January 13th, 2021: Brazilian scientists find the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine to only be 50% effective. 380,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. The CDC is investigating why an otherwise healthy doctor in Miami died a couple weeks after taking the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, to see if it is related.
January 14th, 2021: Pope Francis receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A World Health Organization team arrives in Wuhan, China to Investigate COVID-19s origins. Officials believe at least 1 out of every 3 residents of Los Angeles has contracted COVID-19 at some point. A WHO official warns there won't be herd immunity from COVID-19 with vaccines until into 2022.
January 15th, 2021: The CDC predicts the UK-originated COVID-19 variant will be the dominant spreader of COVID-19 in the United States by March. Worldwide, 2 million people have been confirmed to have died from COVID-19.
January 16th, 2021: COVID-19 is found on ice cream in China, prompting a recall of the product in China.
January 17th, 2021: President-Elect Joe Bidens incoming chief of staff sends a warning that the USA will have at least 500,000 COVID-19 deaths by the end of February. Dr. Fauci says President-elect Joe Biden's plan to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office is "absolutely a doable thing".
January 18th, 2021: Washington State announces the use of Starbucks, based in the state, to help expedite the states vaccine distribution, and that Microsoft, also located in Washington State, will be setting up a vaccine site to vaccinate 5,000 people a day.
January 19th, 2021: Boston cancels the 2021 St. Patrick's Day parade due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. The USA experiences its 400,000th confirmed death from COVID-19.
January 20th, 2021: The South African COVID-19 variant 501Y.V2 is found to resist antibody treatment from blood plasma of COVID-19 survivors, with the efficacy of existing vaccine treatment in question for the new variant. Germany to make clinical level masks mandatory.
January 21st, 2021: The 2021 Cannes Film Festival is delayed until July. The Japanese government says that any reports the Summer Olympics will be cancelled in 2021 after being postponed from 2020 are false. Florida ends the practice of vaccinating anyone over the age of 65, and instead only Florida residents over the age of 65, in addition to health care workers after complaints the already low supply shouldn't go to tourists.
January 22nd, 2021: The upcoming Superbowl 55 in Tampa, Florida will host 22,000 fans total, with 7,500 of them being vaccinated health care workers. Comedian Dave Chappelle tests positive for COVID-19. 1,900 Moderna COVID-19 doses are thrown out in Boston due to the freezer plug coming loose at night and rendering the vaccines unfit for use. British officials say that the UK based COVID-19 strain may be in fact deadlier than the regular strain after further research. Dr. Fauci says the US should be able to vaccinate up to 85% of all adults by the end of summer, and normalcy should begin to return by fall. Health experts begin advocating for everyone to use N95 masks in public for the better protection they offer versus cloth masks.
January 23rd, 2021: The USA sees a 10th straight day of declining COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide.
January 24th, 2021: New Zealand sees its first COVID-19 case in months from a traveler who tested positive 10 days after a two week quarantine from flying into the country. Las Vegas schools begin to re-open due to a number of reported student suicides, argued by some to have been preventable if there was in-person instruction. The Miami Heat basketball team announces the use of COVID-19 sniffing dogs for the limited ticket holding fans who will attend games starting next week. At least 25 million Americans have been infected with COVID-19. The Chicago teachers union votes to defy the district school reopening plans and educators will continue to work remotely. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tests positive for COVID-19.
January 25th, 2021: Merck announces an end to their two COVID-19 vaccines after early clinical data on immune response wasn't favorable. President Biden to reinstate COVID-19 Travel Bans on multiple countries. Moderna announces their vaccine works against the South African and UK based COVID-19 variants. Officials announce an American who lives in Minnesota, who had recently traveled to Brazil, has contracted a new worrisome COVID-19 variant called the "P.1 Variant" emerging from Brazil that may spread faster than other variants.
January 26th, 2021: The Boston Athletic Association announces the 125th Boston Marathon will be October 11th, 2021, barring any setbacks. A third night of rioting leaves many in the Netherlands shaken as 180 anti-lockdown protestors are arrested after burning cars and looting shops in the countries larger cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Pfizer announces they should be able to provide 200 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine 2 months earlier than originally anticipated. The world surpassed 100 million total known cases of COVID-19. President Biden announces he is ordering 200 million additional doses of vaccines with half from Pfizer and half from Moderna. Britain surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19. Vice President Harris gets the second COVID-19 vaccine shot.
January 27th, 2021: Boston University suspends all collegiate sports for the remainder of the month due to COVID-19 concerns. Oklahoma's Attorney General attempts to return $2 million worth of Hydroxychloroquine after finding it had little to no effect on COVID-19.
January 28th, 2021: Celebrity athlete Michael Strahan tests positive for COVID-19. Vietnam reports 82 new COVID-19 cases, the first cases of local transmission in at least two months. Pfizer announces their vaccine works against the UK and South African variants. The US economy grew 1% in the final quarter of 2020, and for the year 2020 shrunk by 3.5%, the biggest drop in 74 years. The US detects their first case of the South African COVID-19 variant in South Carolina. Novavax announces their vaccine works well with 89.3% effectiveness, except for the South African variant of COVID-19.
January 29th, 2021: Reports come out of Oregon that health care workers stuck in the snow with other drivers administered their remaining COVID-19 vaccines to stranded motorists due to the vaccine expiring soon and nowhere to store it. Johnson and Johnson announces their single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is 66% effective. Thai Police arrest 89 foreigners who were suspected of breaking COVID-19 restrictions on the island of Koh Phangan.
January 30th, 2021: 438,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Maryland confirms a case of an individual with the South African COVID-19 variant. Hundreds of people protested the pause on high school winter sports in Michigan, which was delayed by the Governor until late February. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, a mass vaccination site for COVID-19, had to be temporarily shut down after anti-vaccine activists blocked the entrance.
January 31st, 2021: Bostons gyms, museums, arcades, and movie theaters are all set to open on the following day at 25% capacity. Chinas CanSino company gets approved to continue phase 3 trials with their one shot COVID-19 vaccine.
February 1st, 2021: The Biden Administration announces $230 million in funding of over the counter rapid COVID-19 tests. The Congressional Budget Office announces they expects the US Economy to reach pre-pandemic growth by mid year 2021. More Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine than have tested positive total throughout the entire pandemic.
February 2nd, 2021: The Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia is found to be 91.6% effective at preventing symptomatic responses to the virus. Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicts 6 more weeks of winter in a scaled down ceremony without people due to crowding concerns with the pandemic. A new study suggests individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may only need one vaccine shot to have the same level of immunity as someone with two vaccine shots. Captain Tom Moore, a 100 year old veteran in the UK, who was known for raising millions of dollars for the British Healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, dies after testing positive for COVID-19 and being hospitalized.
February 3rd, 2021: A new study shoes the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine is 76% effective against the virus for at least 3 months with only the first dose of the two doses. Ford Motor Company releases a new facemask that is as effective as a regular N95 mask, but is completely clear, to allow for the hearing impaired to understand others better, and for people to read lips and facial expressions.
February 4th, 2021: Massachusetts business capacity is being raised from 25% to 40% starting the next week. Johnson & Johnson submits their one shot COVID-19 vaccine to the FDA for authorization. Hospitalizations in the United States dropping to pre-thanksgiving levels.
February 5th, 2021: 455,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. AstraZeneca announces their COVID-19 vaccine is 75% effective against the UK COVID-19 variant. US employers added 49,000 jobs in the previous month, and unemployment stands at 6.3%.
February 6th, 2021: New Apartment data shows that in the last year, median rent dropped in San Francisco, NYC, Seattle, and Boston by 27%, 21%, 20%, and 19%, respectively, due to the pandemic dropping value as residents moved from cities.
February 7th, 2021: The USA is seeing the UK originated COVID-19 variant cases double every 10 days in the country, worrying CDC officials. South Africa halts distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to its 10% effectiveness against the South African COVID variant.
February 8th, 2021: Concerns mount after video emerges of fans celebrating the previous nights superbowl victory in Tampa in large crowds without masks, and whether it could lead to a superspreader event. Texas Republican Representative Ron Wright, age 67, dies from COVID-19.
February 9th, 2021: The WHO announces after an extensive investigation in Wuhan, China, that COVID-19 likely came from an intermediate animal, not a lab.
February 10th, 2021: 1 in 10 Americans have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC officially endorses double masking, saying that double masking cloth and surgical masks, or just one tightly fitted mask, reduces virus transmission by up to 96.5%. The CDC announces that individuals who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.
February 11th, 2021: President Biden announces that the Administration has secured enough vaccine doses to vaccinate every single American by the end of July.
February 12th, 2021: The CDC announces schools should fully re-open safely as soon as possible, as long as mask wearing, social distancing, and other measures are taken to combat COVID-19.
February 13th, 2021: Unexplained new COVID-19 cases in New Zealand prompt a temporary shutdown of Auckland. Trials begin to give children the AstraZeneca vaccine for the first time.
February 14th, 2021: Israel plans to reopen restaurants in March, and start tourism back up with Cyprus.
February 15th,