Coronavirus timeline: Tracking the critical moments of COVID-19

The outbreak has caused citywide quarantines, infections aboard cruise ships and cancellations of major international events.
Image:
Patients wait to be transferred from Wuhan No. 5 Hospital to Leishenshan Hospital, the newly built hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients, in Wuhan. China, on March 3, 2020.AFP - Getty Images

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By Robin Muccari, Denise Chow and Joe Murphy

From citywide quarantines to infections aboard cruise ships to cancellations of major international events, the global public health emergency caused by the coronavirus has been unfolding rapidly and dramatically.

The virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Since then it has spread to more than 200 countries and territories.

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

Here's how the outbreak has evolved:

See NBC News’ coverage of the coronavirus, see a map and chart of U.S. coronavirus cases per state and a map of coronavirus cases around the world.

Image: Robin MuccariRobin Muccari

Robin Muccari is a data visualizations and graphics designer for NBC News Digital. 

Image: Denise ChowDenise Chow

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on the environment and space. 

Image: Joe MurphyJoe Murphy

Joe Murphy is a data editor at NBC News Digital.