It started with alarming news of sudden deaths in Water 7 due to respiratory infection. The local authorities, together with the local medical experts, have ruled the virus out as a devil fruit user or a biological attack.
Without the complete investigation, they encouraged the locals to take necessary precautions when going out in public. They gave a reminder to always cover their mouths when sneezing and coughing. The use of face masks was highly recommended for those who are sick.
Two weeks after, reports of the same deaths in Water 7 and in nearby islands like Sabaody has increased. These reports alarmed the nations which pushed the World Government to step in and help Water 7 in their investigation.
A month later, the government told the press, organized by News Coo, that the virus came from bats. They were able to trace the origins with the help from the recovering patients. A head chef, whose restaurant is known for exotic dishes, brought bat meats from Bat Cove Island to Pucci. Pucci is an island connected to Water 7 via sea train.
According to the crew of the involved restaurant, they were on their way home to Pucci when they discovered the island. It is not recorded in their Log Pose, a special compass used for navigation in the Grand Line, but they made a quick stop in the hopes of finding a new ingredient. The head chef is reported dead after a few days of contracting the virus and some of the crew members are still in critical health conditions.
With the new information, the medical experts are finally calling the new virus, Coronavirus or Covid for its crown-like structure. They warn the public that the virus can be easily caught by close contact with an infected person or indirect contact through contaminated surfaces and objects and, with a high chance of the infected person to be asymptomatic, the experts are suggesting that all citizens wear face masks and observe social distancing.
The World Government has put a lockdown on Water 7 to prevent the spreading. This includes temporary shutdowns on shopping districts, docks and the sea train. But even with the extra precautions, the virus continued to spread enough to be classified as pandemic.
The government blamed the spread to pirates, who, they believe, don't recognize the dangers of the virus. For public safety, they issued travel permits for traders and eligible travellers, and ordered the marines to help each nation tighten security, and subjugate pirates.
After 3 months of fighting the virus, Sabaody was reported to be the first covid-free island, and the only island reported who retained their businesses open amidst the crisis. Their key to success are the mangroves that provide them the bubbles, and use them as head bubbles like the celestial dragons'. Sabaody volunteered to do research and reengineer their head bubbles for global distribution.
Many medical groups and researchers are volunteering in finding treatments and developing vaccines. One of them is the Isshi-100, led by Kureha and known to recruit skilled doctors. However, the government is not acknowledging them and introduced Vegapunk and Judge Vinsmoke, scientists known for military weapons and advancements, as trusted and certified developers for covid vaccine.