It has been six years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and though aftershocks continue to affect us all, one day stands out as monumental.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, as the NBA suspended its season, Tom Hanks tested positive for the virus and President Donald Trump announced a U.S. travel ban.
That morning, during a meeting with the House Oversight and Reform Committees, then-Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci warned lawmakers that, “Things will get worse than they are right now.” At the time, 118,000 cases and 4,291 deaths related to COVID-19 had been reported in 114 countries. As of Feb. 22, more than 7.1 million COVID-19-related deaths had been reported in 231 countries, according to WHO, with 1.2 million deaths in the U.S.
Here’s a look at the key moments from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020.
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WHO declares pandemic
Not long after Fauci made his statements on March 11, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
Cities ban large gatherings
Throughout the day, government officials across the U.S. put bans on large gatherings, aimed at reducing the spread of the virus.
Former San Francisco Mayor London Breed prohibited gatherings of more than 1,000 people, former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown put bans on events of 250 people throughout their states.
First positive case on Capitol Hill
A staff member for Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell was the first individual on Capitol Hill to test positive for the virus on March 11, 2020.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) speaks during a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Capitol on President Donald Trump’s economy on Feb. 26, 2026.
NBA suspends season; NCAA rolls back March Madness crowds
The NCAA announced that due to the virus outbreak, March Madness would only be held with the players, essential staff and limited family in attendance. A day later, the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments were canceled.
The evening of March 11, 2020, shortly before tipoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz, referees and coaches learned that Jazz center Ruby Gobert was positive for the virus. The game was postponed and then ultimately, the National Basketball Association suspended the remainder of its 2019-2020 season.
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson test positive
Chet Hanks, from left, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Truman Hanks attend the world premiere of Apple TV+’s “Masters of the Air” at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2024.
Actor Tom Hanks posted a photo on Instagram, sharing that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for COVID-19.
“We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive,” Hanks wrote in his post. “We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!”
Trump declares nationwide emergency, issues travel ban
In the evening of March 11, 2020, Trump declared COVID-19 a nationwide emergency and announced a 30-day travel ban on non-U.S. citizens traveling from 26 European countries would be implemented at the end of the week.
Six years later: March 11, 2026
While social distancing and masks have faded away, COVID-19 variants still circulate, primarily during cold and flu season.
Last year, COVID-19-related deaths peaked the week of Jan. 11, 2025, with reported 1,049 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). In comparison, the peak number of weekly deaths in 2024, also in January, was 2,587 deaths. And for an even more drastic comparison, the peak number of weekly deaths in 2021, in early January, was 31,349 deaths, according to the CDC.
As of March 10, COVID-19 cases were only growing in two states – Virginia and Arkansas, according to the CDC. Throughout most of the country, cases were on the decline.
As of November 2025, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommended the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for anyone over the age of six months. The vaccine is particularly important, the CDC states, for folks who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are 65 and up, are at high risk for the virus, live in a long-term care facility and are pregnant, breastfeeding and/or trying to get pregnant.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic, six years later
