It was first reported in December, but it was no holiday gift.

A simple pneumonia-like virus was being monitored in China. Unknown origins. Deserving of close watch, but no need for alarm. 

Less than two full months later, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the now-named coronavirus a global health emergency. 

President Trump's coronavirus task force declared a public health emergency in the U.S. on Friday, followed shortly thereafter by a similar announcement out of Italy, which declared a six-month state of emergency.   

Despite the WHO, U.S. and Italian declarations, there will be little intervention within China itself. Global health officials have taken the public stance of trusting China and praising the lockdown on their population.