In the year since public health officials declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic, the world, and Cowlitz County, have drastically changed.
Attitudes have shifted from fear of the unknown to a tenuous optimism as COVID-19 vaccines became more widely available. While health officials say life may return to the "new normal" in the next few months, the virus still poses a risk. In interviews with The Daily News on the pandemic's one-year anniversary, Cowlitz County health officials reflected on the lessons they have learned.
As of Friday, 58 Cowlitz County residents had died from COVID-19, according to the county health department. More than 220 residents have been hospitalized and about 4,365 people are confirmed cases.
The pandemic and related restrictions altered every aspect of life.