One year ago, China announced the first death from a new virus in Wuhan -- 12 months later, Covid-19 has claimed 1.9 million lives in an unrelenting march across the world.

But in the central Chinese city of 11 million where the first known outbreak started, the virus has been extinguished and residents are proud of its revival.

In the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first known coronavirus outbreak started, the disease has been extinguished
In the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first known coronavirus outbreak started, the disease has been extinguished AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI

On Monday morning, the anniversary slipped by unmarked in Wuhan -- commuters moved freely to work while parks and riverside promenades buzzed with walkers in a city determined to banish its tag as the coronavirus ground zero.

In a sparse report on January 11, 2020, China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus -- a 61-year-old man who was a regular at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market linked to many of the early cases.

Buzzing with activity again, Wuhan is determined to banish its tag as coronavirus ground zero
Buzzing with activity again, Wuhan is determined to banish its tag as coronavirus ground zero AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI

The world would soon become grimly familiar with the disease that killed him as Covid-19.

Little is still known about the first victim, including his name, while the market where the first reported clusters of cases were traced back to has remained closed, surrounded by boarding.

After a long lockdown in early 2020, Wuhan has bounced back and is proud of its revival
After a long lockdown in early 2020, Wuhan has bounced back and is proud of its revival AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI

After a long wrangle, China on Monday said independent experts from the WHO will be allowed into the country from Thursday, with the international community hoping they can visit the market and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in Wuhan.

The city has now bounced back and residents are revelling in the freedoms they enjoy.

IMAGESSun rises in Wuhan, the Chinese city where Covid-19 was first detected, a year after China confirming its first death from the virus. Nearly two million deaths later, the pandemic is out of control across much of the world, leaving tens of millions
IMAGESSun rises in Wuhan, the Chinese city where Covid-19 was first detected, a year after China confirming its first death from the virus. Nearly two million deaths later, the pandemic is out of control across much of the world, leaving tens of millions ill, a pulverised global economy and recriminations flying between nations. AFPTV / Leo RAMIREZ

"Wuhan is the safest city in China now, even the whole world," 66-year-old resident Xiong Liansheng told AFP on Monday.

Commuters headed to work and others strolled along the riverfront -- a sharp contrast to the countries still under strict lockdowns and restrictions.

People run along the banks of the Yangtze River in Wuhan on the first anniversary of China confirming its first death from the COVID-19 coronavirus
People run along the banks of the Yangtze River in Wuhan on the first anniversary of China confirming its first death from the COVID-19 coronavirus AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI

"The Wuhan people's awareness of epidemic prevention and control is very high -- even my two-year-old grandson will wear a mask when going out," said Xiong.

Elderly couples danced, some masked, but hands clasped as social distancing withered in the winter sunshine in a busy park next to the Yangtze river.

"Most cases in China are imported from overseas now and our country has a good control of it," said Zhong, an 80-year-old woman giving only one name.

"All the Wuhan people feel very safe in the city, and we come here and dance happily everyday."

China has faced criticism at home and abroad over its initial handling of the virus, including attempts to silence whistleblowers and failure to report cases for days in early January.

Two weeks after confirming the first death, Wuhan and the surrounding province were put under lockdown.

Chinese authorities are trying to stamp out a series of local outbreaks, reporting 103 new infections on Monday -- the highest figure since July last year -- most in northern Hebei province.

Transport links have been cut and schools closed in an effort to contain the cluster.

There are also mounting fears that travel plans for hundreds of millions of people for the Lunar New Year next month may be ruined as virus controls tighten.

China's official toll stands at 4,634 deaths from Covid-19.

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