Monday marks four years since beginning of coronavirus pandemic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It may be hard to believe, but March 11 marks four years since the world suddenly stopped and began navigating a deadly pandemic.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization formally declared coronavirus a pandemic. Later that day, Tom Hanks announced he had contracted the virus.

Band and Choir Standards Festival begins Tuesday at Bakersfield College: BCSD

The NBA canceled the rest of its season, UFC fights were held in empty arenas, and in Kern County, public health officials confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on Saint Patrick’s Day 2020.

The first COVID-19 death was confirmed a few weeks later. Since then, 2,676 Kern County residents have died from the virus.

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