WHEN the first human cases of COVID-19 were identified in China last December, no one could have ever have forecast that 14 weeks later the UK would have been in a lockdown in April.

Unprecedented is a word often overused but coronavirus really has been one of those once-in-a-century events we are living though.

Life has changed beyond recognition in Worcester, and worldwide, in just a few weeks.

Once unthinkable sights became reality.

With events changing at a rapid pace, lets look back on a summary of what has happened in these last few months:

December 31 - Chinese authorities inform the World Health Organisation (WHO) of an illness in Wuhan, China.

January 8 - It is referred to in China as being a new form coronavirus, COVID-19, a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.

January 20 - First reports that the virus is spreading.

January 21 - WHO confirms human-to-human transmission of the virus.

January 24 - Health Secretary Matt Hancock chairs the Government’s first Cobra meeting on coronavirus.

January 25 - Covid-19 reaches more countries, and for the first time Europe as France reports cases.

January 30 - After death toll passes 100, the WHO declares Covid-19 a global emergency.

January 31 - The first cases in the UK are confirmed.

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February 15 - While Worcester is hit by flooding after Storm Dennis, the first death in Europe - in France - is confirmed.

February 22 - The first deaths are reported in Italy leading to lockdown measures there - the first European country to act in that way.

February 28 - A passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan is the first Briton to die from Covid-19.

March 5 - A woman in her 70s dies in Reading, the first person in the UK to die with coronavirus.

West Midlands first case is also confirmed, in Birmingham.

March 11 - Covid-19 is declared a pandemic by the WHO.

The Worcester job centre is forced to close after a staff member tests positive for the virus.

March 12 - The Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool v Athletic Madrid go ahead despite concerns. Soon after cancellations of sports fixtures begin to be announced.

March 16 - The Prime Minister tells everyone to avoid non essential travel, work from home where possible, and avoid crowded places.

March 17 - Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils a financial package to help businesses furlough staff.

March 20 - Pubs and restaurants are ordered to close. Schools also close, opening only to children of ‘key workers’.

March 22 - Global cases of COVID-19 surpass 300,000. It took three months to reach the first 100,000 cases, 12 days to reach 200,000, then only three days to reach 300,000.

March 23 - The first Covid-19 related death at a Worcestershire hospital, Redditch's Alexandra Hospital.

In a television address the PM announces historic lockdown measures to stop the spread, with people now only allowed to leave home for limited reasons.

March 24 - The first death at Worcestershire Royal Hospital is announced.

March 26 - The government unveils a package for self-employed people, and the first ‘Clap for Carers’ is held.

March 27 - Prime Minister Boris Johnson is announced to have tested positive for Covid-19.

April 5 - The Queen speaks to the nation about the crisis.

April 6 - It is announced the PM is in intensive care.

April 8 - NHS figures show deaths at county hospitals from coronavirus have now passed 50.

A new temporary hospital for the Midlands, the Nightingale, prepares to open.

Meanwhile, worldwide, total cases are announced to be 1,446,557, with 83,149 deaths.