On January 19, 2021, 17,066 COVID-19 patients died globally, the second time daily fatalities surpassed the 17,000 mark since the pandemic began.
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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.
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 transpare