On January 3, 2020, according to a China White Paper, the Wuhan City Health Commission (WCHC) issued an Information Circular on a Viral Pneumonia of Unknown Cause, reporting a total of 44 cases. They first became aware on December 27, 2019.
Under the direction of the National Health Commission (NHC), China CDC and three other institutions carried out parallel laboratory testing of the samples to identify the pathogen. The NHC and the Health Commission of Hubei Province jointly formulated nine documents, including Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Viral Pneumonia of Unknown Cause (for Trial Implementation).
From January 3rd onward, China began to update the WHO on a regular basis on the development of the disease.
On January 5, 2020 the WHO made the official announced the disease outbreak of “Pneumonia of unknown cause” in China. [1, 2]