Coronavirus timeline: Tracking the critical moments of Covid-19

From citywide quarantines to infections aboard cruise ships to cancellations of major international events, the global public health emergency caused by the coronavirus has been unfolding rapidly and dramatically.

The virus, which causes the Covid-19 disease, emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Since then it has spread across the world.

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

Here's a timeline detailing how the pandemic has evolved:

See NBC News’ coverage of the coronavirus, see a chart of U.S. coronavirus surges by state and a map of coronavirus cases around the world.