CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – This past weekend marked the 5th anniversary of the first case of the COVID-19 virus diagnosed in Iowa. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows 903,991 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in Iowa from March 2020 to March 2023. During that time more than 10,000 deaths were said to have been COVID-related.

A Pew Research poll conducted last month found that 7 out of 10 Americans surveyed believed the COVID-19 pandemic drove the nation further apart. When asked if COVID took a toll on them, almost half said yes, but they’ve recovered. 24% said they’ve somewhat recovered, and a quarter of those asked said COVID did not take a toll on them.

The pandemic happened fast with people hustling to find a way to reduce the spread of the disease best. It came with confusing mandates, masking up, and changing our daily life. Even five years later, some are still dealing with the effects.The Johns Hopkins University of Medicine says 64 percent of Iowans are fully vaccinated, and more than 6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state.