Business & Tech

COVID's 2-Year Anniversary: See NJ Pandemic Life In Photos

As we near the two year anniversary since the start of the pandemic, take a look back at how New Jersey was affected.

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A sign placed on the boardwalk states "MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE" on May 24, 2020 in Wildwood, New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy designated the state beaches open with restrictions during the Memorial Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A sign placed on the boardwalk states "MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE" on May 24, 2020 in Wildwood, New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy designated the state beaches open with restrictions during the Memorial Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic. ( Mark Makela/Getty Images)

NEW JERSEY — It's been exactly two years since the first COVID-19 case was reported in New Jersey on March 4, 2020.

James Cai, a 32-year-old physician assistant living in Fort Lee, was the first person in the Garden State to be diagnosed with coronavirus, according to northjersey.com. Two years later, New Jerseyans are still dealing with the catastrophic effects of the virus, as cases have finally started to wane in the last couple weeks.

Let's take a look back at some photos from the past two years that exemplify the resilience of New Jersey residents during the pandemic times:

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February 7, 2022

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks to reporters during a briefing in Trenton, N.J., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. Murphy announced plans Monday to lift the statewide COVID-19 mask requirement in schools a month from now because of the rapid easing of the omicron surge, calling the move "a huge step back to normalcy for our kids." (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

January 11, 2021

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People arrive and get checked in to receive a coronavirus vaccine at an Essex County COVID-19 Vaccination Site located at a closed Sears retail store in the Livingston Mall in Livingston, New Jersey on Monday, January 11, 2021. Public health agencies and health-care groups are using the retailer's empty stores to deliver Vaccines in several locations around parts of the United States. (By: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

December 22, 2021

CityMD is temporarily closing clinics in New York and New Jersey amid a sharp rise in Covid-19. This location is at Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey on December 22, 2021. (Karla Ann Cote/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

September 16, 2021

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy talks to three and four year old students in a pre-K class at the Dr. Charles Smith Early Childhood Center, Sept. 16, 2021, in Palisades Park, N.J. Murphy will end a statewide mask mandate to protect against COVID-19 in schools and child care centers, his office said Monday, Feb 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File

May 6, 2021
Families are reunited for the first time in a year since the Covid-19 pandemic at the CLEAR Connects: A Day of Families event at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock)

April 29, 2021

Students line up to enter Christa McAuliffe School in Jersey City, N.J., April 29, 2021. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will end a statewide mask mandate to protect against COVID-19 in schools and child care centers, his office said Monday, Feb 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

February 14, 2021

An overall view of The Atlantic City Boardwalk on Valentines Day during a pandemic in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Kostas Lymperopoulos/CSM/Shutterstock)

July 25, 2020

Fans watch in socially distanced spaces as The Moroccan Sheepherders play a drive-in concert to help bolster the local music scene as restrictions on indoor activities continue due to The Novel Covid-19 pandemic at Joe Palaia Park in Oakhurst, New Jersey. (Kostas Lymperopoulos/CSM/Shutterstock)

July 3, 2020

An electronic sign mandates mask wearing for all patrons at an amusement pier on July 3, 2020 in Wildwood, New Jersey. New Jersey beaches have reopened for the July 4th holiday as some coronavirus restrictions have been lifted, along with casinos, amusement rides and water parks at limited capacity. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

May 3, 2020

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy dial in and seen on screen at Governor Andrew Cuomo daily media briefing on COVID-19 pandemic at Manhattan office. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock)

April 30, 2020

Former President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with New Jersey Governor Governor Phil Murphy (L) in the Oval Office of the White House. Murphy asked for more money for front-line workers in dealing with Covid-19. (Doug Mills/UPI/Shutterstock)

April 16, 2020

Medical workers load a patient from Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center into an ambulance while wearing masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) on April 16, 2020 in Andover, New Jersey. After an anonymous tip to police, 17 people were found dead at the long-term care facility, including two nurses, where at least 76 patients and 41 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)

April 4, 2020

Customers wait in line to buy food and essential needs at Traders Joes during this covid-19 pandemic in Westfield, New Jersey. (Duncan Williams/CSM/Shutterstock)

March 27, 2020

Suzanne Radnoti-Roghanchi sews masks on March 27, 2020 in her home in South Orange, New Jersey. Residents of the South Orange and Maplewood townships have banded together to make protective gear such as masks and face shields to aid area healthcare workers in the fight against the coronavirus.The SOMa Sewing Volunteers, a 365 member Facebook group, shares supplies and communicates through posts and messages. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

March 25, 2020

An aerial view of the COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., as seen from a New Jersey National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter, March 24, 2020. The testing site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. (Spc Michael Schwenk/U S Army National Guard/UPI/Shutterstock)

March 21, 2020

New Jersey Army National Guard medical personnel from the 250th Brigade Support Battalion assist New Jersey citizens at a COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, on March 20, 2020. The testing site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. The drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.. (Spc Michael Schwenk/U S Army National Guard/UPI/Shutterstock)

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