Six Years of COVID-19 Linger On

The pandemic-causing disease continues to impact communities, though its prominence has faded for many.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:51pm

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Wednesday marks six years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. While the virus is no longer dominating headlines, it remains a public health concern, with ongoing cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Experts warn that COVID-19 is still a more lethal virus than influenza, and urge continued vigilance, especially for vulnerable populations.

Why it matters

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and lasting impact on communities worldwide. Even as the virus has faded from the public consciousness, it continues to pose risks, particularly for the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with underlying health conditions. Understanding the ongoing effects of COVID-19 is crucial for public health preparedness and ensuring vulnerable populations remain protected.

The details

According to Dr. Thomas Russo, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University at Buffalo and the VA of WNY, COVID-19 remains a more lethal virus than influenza. While the last two years have seen relatively fewer COVID cases, hospitalizations from the virus were similar to influenza last year, but COVID resulted in more deaths.

  • The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
  • March 11, 2020 was also when actor Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA cancelled its season, the stock market tumbled, and President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office.

The players

Dr. Thomas Russo

SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University at Buffalo and the VA of WNY.

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What they’re saying

“The legacy from the pandemic is multiple, but unfortunately, I think the greatest legacy is we're now stuck with yet another winter respiratory virus that's potentially lethal.”

— Dr. Thomas Russo, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases (wgrz.com)

“Unfortunately, even though we don't do well with either influenza vaccines or COVID vaccines, more people are getting vaccinated against influenza, which is a less lethal disease, and fewer and fewer people are getting vaccinated against COVID. We really need to do better to minimize the consequences of these severe winter respiratory viruses.”

— Dr. Thomas Russo, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases (wgrz.com)

What’s next

Experts recommend that seniors, immunocompromised individuals, and young children continue to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves and their communities.

The takeaway

While COVID-19 may have faded from the public spotlight, it remains a serious public health concern, especially for vulnerable populations. Maintaining vigilance, getting vaccinated, and following public health guidance are crucial to minimizing the ongoing impacts of this persistent virus.