This day China reported first Covid death in 2020; 5 years on, pandemic is still killing people

On January 11, 2020, China reported the first known COVID-19-related death—a 61-year-old regular at Wuhan’s market. Five years later, the virus remains a global presence, though humanity has gained immunity through vaccinations and infections. While less deadly than during the pandemic’s early days, COVID-19 continues to evolve, requiring ongoing scientific vigilance.

A year after the first reported death, January 12, 2021, the highest single-day global fatalities with 17,330 deaths recorded. The US reached 400,000 cumulative deaths on the same day, while Europe led in daily deaths. In contrast, Asia, particularly India, saw a decline in fatalities.

On January 19, 2021, another grim milestone was reached with 17,066 deaths worldwide, highlighting the pandemic’s devastating toll. As the world reflects on the past five years, understanding the virus’s trajectory remains crucial for preventing future crises.

More from World

Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 jolts Assam, tremors felt in Bhutan and north Bengal 5 US F-35 jets land in Puerto Rico amid tensions with Venezuela

COVID-19 origin remains a mystery

The origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still a topic of ongoing research and debate. While the exact source of the virus is still unclear, studies suggest that it is likely of zoonotic origin, meaning it was transmitted from animals to humans.

Research has shown that the coronaviruses most closely related to SARS-CoV-2 are found in bats and pangolins, suggesting that these mammals may be the reservoir of the virus. However, neither of the viruses identified in these species is sufficiently similar to SARS-CoV-2 to be its direct progenitor.

The Huanan market in Wuhan, China, has been identified as a possible early source of the outbreak, but it’s unclear if it was the source or just one of the early transmission hubs. Some studies suggest that the virus may have circulated in other countries before it was first detected in Wuhan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for further studies and data on the origin of SARS-CoV-2, and the investigation is ongoing.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged China to provide more data to investigators examining the origins of the pandemic, emphasizing that transparency is a “moral and scientific imperative” essential for helping countries “prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

The true origins of the pandemic may remain unknown for many years—if ever.

Deaths, vaccinations and uncertainty: Over 20 million killed

The true global death toll from COVID-19 likely exceeds 20 million, according to the WHO, which has recorded over seven million reported deaths but estimates the actual number to be at least three times higher. In Europe alone, nearly 2.3 million deaths have been reported since 2020, with older adults making up the majority of hospitalizations and fatalities.

“We cannot talk about COVID in the past, since it’s still with us,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasizing the virus’s ongoing impact.

Vaccines were developed in record time, saving tens of millions of lives worldwide. Less than a year after the virus was identified, Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines were cleared for use in the US and UK, thanks to years of prior research. Since 2021, over 13 billion doses have been administered globally, though rollout in poorer nations was initially slow.

The vaccines have proven highly effective in preventing severe illness and death, with rare serious side effects. However, protection against milder infections wanes after a few months, requiring updated shots to match the evolving virus. Efforts to develop next-generation vaccines, such as nasal sprays aimed at blocking infection more effectively, are ongoing.