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When the first cases of a mysterious pneumonia appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, few people imagined that the virus would transform everyday life across the globe. Within months, hospitals were overwhelmed, international borders closed, economies slowed, and billions of people experienced unprecedented lockdowns.

Scientists quickly identified the virus as SARS-CoV-2, while the disease became known as COVID-19. In March 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the outbreak a global pandemic.

France and the Early Response
France confirmed its first COVID-19 cases in January 2020. As infections increased, hospitals admitted growing numbers of patients with severe respiratory illness.

The country introduced emergency public health measures, including nationwide lockdowns, travel restrictions, mandatory face masks, and social distancing policies aimed at slowing transmission.