The WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic five years ago, leading to over 111 million cases and one million deaths in the U.S.
SAN ANTONIO — It is hard to believe that Tuesday marks five years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.
Five years later, with the introduction of the COVID vaccine and numerous boosters, most cases of the illness are mild. Sadly, the effects are still impacting people today. In the last five years, there were more than 111,000,000 cases of COVID and more than one million deaths caused by the disease in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of 13 Americans has long COVID, making it one of the most common diseases in the U.S.
Here in San Antonio, the week that followed the March 11 declaration would see a massive shift for some of the city’s beloved traditions including 2020’s planned Fiesta in April and the San Antonio Spurs season.
Here is a look back at some of the events that impacted life in San Antonio in the early days of the pandemic:
March 11: Pandemic classification
The World Health Organization classifies the worldwide outbreak of the new coronavirus crisis as a pandemic.
“Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this coronavirus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
March 12: Spurs games suspended
In a statement released March 12, Spurs, Sports, and Entertainment CEO RC Buford said the organization “fully supports the National Basketball League’s decision to indefinitely suspend the remainder of the 2019-2020 season. This came after the NBA’s announcement. Spurs official last game before the postponement was March 10 vs. the Mavericks.
March 13: First reported case of COVID-19 in SA announced
San Antonio city and health officials announced that the first case of coronavirus in the city outside of a group of cruise ship passengers who had been brough to JBSA-Lackland had been confirmed by testing.
The person had previously traveled out of state, according to officials.
March 13: Fiesta postponed
Fiesta 2020 was officially postponed until early November of that year. The plan was made with the hope that by November, it would be safe to gather in large crowds again. The November rescheduled dates were eventually canceled along with the Fiesta 2021 which was scheduled for that April. The Fiesta Commission held the first Fiesta post-pandemic in June of 2022, with a limited schedule of events.
March 16: Schools close
Most school districts in the San Antonio area were supposed to have students return after spring break on Monday, March 16, but during the break, it was announced that it would be extended. Governor Greg Abbott would eventually extended the closure of in-person learning to the entire 2019-2020 school year. Virtual and distance learning procedures emerged from the closure.
March 23: ‘Stay Home, Work Safe’
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced the “Stay Home, Work Safe Order.” Under the order, individuals living within San Antonio are ordered to stay home, only leaving the house to “perform allowed activities.” The initial order was to stay in effect until April 9. That was later extended multiple times.
