The WHO released a report dated 16-24 February 2020, on how China responded to COVID-19 and how the virus spreads. This Joint Mission report includes relevant statements that set the stage for how the world then responded:

  • bats
  • seafood market
  • no prior immunity
  • post infection immunity
  • droplet transmission
  • human-to-human transmission
  • contact tracing
  • symptom – spectrum from asymptomatic to death
  • 80% cases mild to moderate
  • incubation possibly 1-14 days
  • at highest risk are with underlying conditions – over 80

The report found “early cases identified in Wuhan are believed to have acquired infection from a zoonotic source” in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. [1]

On February 24, 2020 the joint mission taskforce reported that lockdowns worked and the rest of the world should follow China’s lead.