Five years after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, the World Health Organization is still reporting deaths from the virus. 

More than 3,000 people died in the last month, adding to the more than 7 million deaths since the pandemic began.

In the fall of 2019, many of the top stories for U.S. news outlets had to do with China.

"I have a good relationship with China. We’ll see what happens, but I’m very happy right now," President Donald Trump said on Nov. 19, 2019 amid trade negotiations with Beijing. "If we don’t make a deal with China, I’ll just raise the tariffs even higher."

NEW BAT CORONAVIRUS DISCOVERED IN CHINA SPARKS PANDEMIC CONCERNS

On the other side of the globe, protesters in Hong Kong were objecting to China’s interference in the region’s government. Trump signed a bill supporting the pro-democracy demonstrations. Back in Washington, the Smithsonian National Zoo’s beloved panda, Bei Bei, was preparing to move to a new habitat in central China, but in the background, a much bigger story was taking place.

Also, in the fall of 2019, scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were studying how mice responded to SARs and MERs-related coronaviruses. A National Intelligence Director report noted the lab maintains one of the world’s largest repositories of bat samples.

It stated, "Teams separately used transgenic mouse models to better understand how the viruses infect humans as well as related vaccine and therapeutics research."

"This laboratory that worked on bat coronaviruses was undertaking work, which on the face of it was quite important for understanding these viruses, but had some risks," said Stanford microbiology professor David Relman in January 2020.

During that time, several researchers at the institute fell ill with cold or flu-like symptoms, but none were severe enough to be hospitalized.

"Some of their symptoms were consistent with but not diagnostic of Covid-19," the intelligence report stated. The intelligence community also noted that it was unclear if those illnesses were linked to the virus that would soon spread around the world.

By December, China’s stock market was rising on hopes of a trade deal with the U.S., but the local economy in Wuhan was facing a major threat. Health officials were growing concerned about a new viral pneumonia that was not responding to standard treatments. Twenty-seven cases had been confirmed, seven of which were critical. 

Most of the patients had a recent history of exposure to wildlife animals at the Huanan Market, where poultry, snakes, bats and other farm animals were sold. Wuhan health officials claimed the wet market was where the virus originated. However, at least 13 of the first 41 hospitalizations had no link to the marketplace, according to an article by Chinese researchers published in the Lancet. 

"That's a big number, 13, with no link," Daniel Lucey, an infectious disease specialist at Georgetown University, told Science in January 2020. "The virus came into that marketplace before it came out of that marketplace."

NEW BAT CORONAVIRUS DISCOVERED IN CHINA SPARKS PANDEMIC CONCERNS

All U.S. intelligence agencies assess both a natural and laboratory-associated origin remain plausible sources of the virus’ origin. The Energy Department, the FBI and the CIA believe a laboratory-associated incident was the most likely cause of the first human infection. 

"Laboratory accidents happen everywhere there are humans. Humans are fallible. So, it's absolutely reasonable to think that some other laboratory also had an accident," Relman said.

In late December, the Wuhan Institute of Virology isolated and identified the virus from patient samples. The information available to U.S. intelligence officials indicates this to be the first time researchers at the institute had access to the virus’ gene sequence.

On New Year's Eve in the U.S., Trump rang in 2020 at his annual Mar-a-Lago party and was optimistic over his negotiations with China.

"We’re very excited about trade," the president said. "I’ll be going, at some point, to Beijing, to be with President Xi.  We have a great relationship.  And we’ll be doing something reciprocal."

Scientists in Wuhan were growing even more concerned about the new virus. Dozens of individuals with suspected cases had been isolated in a designated hospital. The World Health Organization became aware through a media statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. It warned of a pneumonia of an unknown cause.

During the first days of 2020, life around the world and in most parts of China, seemed normal. However, in Wuhan, the Huanan Market had been shut down, and World Health Organization officials were taking a closer look at the cases.

"There are many unreported cases in China. There's also a number of cases in Hong Kong that haven't been reported," Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang told Lou Dobbs in January 2020. "What's happened in Hong Kong and the protest, people don't want to go out so it has been quiet over the last week or so. But I think that this is really the fear over the contagion."

TRUMP'S 'MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN' COMMISSION TO TARGET AUTISM, CHRONIC DISEASES

What was now called the 2019 Novel Coronavirus had claimed its first victim by the time Trump inked phase one of his trade deal with China.

"Right now, our relationship with China is the best it’s ever been," Trump said at the signing ceremony.

Cases from outside of China were now accumulating. Thailand and Japan had confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2. Shortly after, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan.

"The bottom line is this is a very rare virus. The number of people who have been infected or exposed is very small," Lenox Hill Hospital emergency room Dr. Robert Glatter said as the flight screenings began.

Days later, health officials confirmed the first U.S. case in Washington state but insisted the virus was still a low risk to the public.

"We're very happy to say that he is in satisfactory condition and as of this moment is being, is very helpful in us identifying particular people that he may have been in contact with," Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wa, said after the case was announced.

More cases began to accumulate across the U.S. and around the world. In Wuhan, 11 million people were placed under lockdown orders.

"It has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one," World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said as Wuhan closed its city limits.

Shoppers raced to gather essentials before the lockdown officially took place. Roads, train stations and airports were empty. Other locations throughout China were also closed to the public, and Chinese New Year celebrations were scaled back.

Around the world, more countries implemented travel restrictions from China. Many evacuated citizens from the country before the virus spread further.

By mid-February, 1,013 people had died from the virus now known as COVID-19. It had officially killed more people than the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak, when 774 people died.

The U.S. is "rated number one" for epidemic preparedness, Trump told White House reporters on Feb. 26, 2020. "We've had tremendous success, tremendous success beyond what people would have thought. Now at the same time you do have some outbreaks in some countries. Italy and various countries are having some difficulty." 

Italy was the new epicenter for the virus. By mid-March, 114 countries had reported more than 118,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths.

"In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths and the number of effected countries climb even higher," Ghebreyesus said. "We have formed the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly."

The State Department has revoked the visa of a student who participated in protesting in favor of Hamas, a move in line with President Donald Trump's call for canceling visas of students involved in the anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses.

The State Department confirmed the matter with Fox News, without identifying the student or what university they attended due to "legal constraints."

"Yesterday evening, we revoked the first visa of an alien who was previously cited for criminal behavior in connection with Hamas-supporting disruptions," the State Department said. "This individual was a university student. ICE will proceed with removing this person from the country."

BARNARD STUDENT DEMANDS ACTION AFTER PRO-HAMAS PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT, CALLS OUT SCHOOL'S ‘PATHETIC’ RESPONSE

The State Department reviewed over 100,000 student visas and none were revoked during the Biden administration, despite all the anti-Israel protests and disruptions on college campuses. 

Trump has repeatedly called for foreign students attending American universities to have their visas revoked for supporting Hamas and other terror groups. 

Upon taking office in January, he signed an executive order to combat antisemitism. 

COLUMBIA PROFESSOR SLAMS UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AS ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS WREAK HAVOC AT BARNARD

"To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you," Trump is quoted in a fact sheet issued by the White House. "I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before."

U.S. college campuses have been a hotbed for anti-Israel protests and disruptions, including vandalism, threats against Jewish students and violence against law enforcement. 

"The Biden Administration turned a blind eye to this coordinated assault on public order; it simply refused to protect the civil rights of Jewish Americans, especially students," the fact sheet states. "According to a December 2024 U.S. House of Representatives Staff Report on anti-Semitism, ‘the failure of our federal government departments and agencies is astounding.'"

On Thursday, Axios reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is launching an AI-fueled "Catch and Revoke" effort to cancel the visas of foreign students who appear to support designated terror groups.

"Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security," he wrote on X. "The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law — including international students — face visa denial or revocation, and deportation."

A U.S. judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to pay at least a portion of the nearly $2 billion in owed foreign aid for previously completed projects by 6 p.m. Monday, an expeditious ruling that comes just one day after the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's request to continue its freeze.

The decision from U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali came after a more than four-hour court hearing Thursday, where he grilled both parties on their proposed repayment plans, and a timeframe for the government to comply with the $1.9 billion in owed foreign aid that has been completed.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Ali ordered the government to pay at least a portion of the $1.9 billion by Monday at 6 p.m.

"I think it’s reasonable to get the plaintiffs' invoices paid by 6 p.m. on Monday," said Judge Ali. "What I’ll order today is the first concrete step that plaintiffs have their invoices paid … [and] work completed prior to Feb. 13 to be paid by 6 p.m. on Monday, March 10th."

SCOTUS RULES ON NEARLY $2 BILLION IN FROZEN USAID PAYMENTS

That order previously set a deadline of Feb. 26 at 11:59 p.m. for the Trump administration to pay its outstanding debt to foreign aid groups.

The Justice Department had argued that the timeline was "impossible" to comply with— a notion seemingly rejected by Judge Ali during Thursday's hearing.

At one point, an attorney for the Justice Department asked for more time to get the payments out, citing the potential difficulty of getting financial transactions approved or completed over the weekend. In response, Judge Ali noted that the government had successfully paid out more than $70 million in the hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, noting that this "ought to be possible" as well.

Judge Ali stressed during the Thursday hearing that the Feb. 26 deadline he previously set for the government to pay the $1.9 billion in foreign aid had passed.

Now, he said, the job given to him by the Supreme Court is to clarify the government's role in repayment— instructions, he noted, that he tends to take "very seriously."

LAWSUIT TRACKER: NEW RESISTANCE BATTLING TRUMP'S SECOND TERM THROUGH ONSLAUGHT OF LAWSUITS TAKING AIM AT EOS

The 5-4 Supreme Court decision one day earlier remanded the case back to the D.C. federal court, and Judge Ali , o hash out the specifics of what must be paid, and when. Judge Ali moved quickly following the high court's decision, ordering both parties back to court Thursday to weigh plausible repayment schedules. 

But the early hours of Thursday's hearing focused more on the government's role and review of all foreign aid contractors and grants, which Trump administration lawyers told Judge Ali they had already completed and made final decisions for.

Stephen Wirth, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, objected to the administration's "breakneck" review of the contracts and grants, arguing that they "had one objective— to terminate as many contracts as possible."

Lawyers were also pressed over whether the Trump administration can legally move to terminate projects whose funds are allocated and appropriated by Congress. 

This could eventually kick the issue back up to the Supreme Court.

SCOTUS RULES ON NEARLY $2 BILLION IN FROZEN USAID PAYMENTS

At issue in the case was how quickly the Trump administration needed to pay the nearly $2 billion owed to aid groups and contractors for completed projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), at a time when the administration has issued a blanket freeze on all foreign spending in the name of government "efficiency" and eliminating waste.

President Donald Trump has stated plans to cut some 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts and to slash an additional $60 billion in foreign aid spending.

In a Supreme Court filing, acting U.S. Solicitor General Sarah Harris said that while the plaintiffs' claims were likely "legitimate," the time Judge Ali gave them to pay the outstanding invoices was "not logistically or technically feasible."

Plaintiffs have argued that the lower court judge had ordered the Trump administration to begin making the owed foreign aid payments more than two weeks ago — a deadline they said the government simply failed to meet, or to even take steps to meet — indicating that the administration had no plans to make good on fulfilling that request.

Democrats on social media were mocked by conservatives on Thursday over a viral video in which several of the elected officials pretended to be video game characters in a "choose your fighter parody."

The video, posted by social media influencer Jessica Woo, featured Dem. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Lauren Underwood, Katherine Clark, Judy Chu, and Susie Lee.

The congresswomen in the video could be seen jumping up and down in a fighting position as if they were video game characters, along with attributes describing their accolades and attributes. 

The video was widely mocked by conservatives on social media, with many pointing out the Democrats' antics at President Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday.

HOUSE DEMS SUGGEST TRUMP IS TRYING TO BRING BACK SLAVERY IN RACIALLY CHARGED LIVESTREAM: 'BACK TO THE FIELDS'

"Democrats Not Be Cringe Challenge," the White House rapid response social media account posted on X. "Level: Impossible."

"It’s as if the party is trying to implode itself…," Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted on X.

"There are just some people who don’t have anyone in their lives willing to tell them to stop," conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky posted on X. 

"Dear God," American Majority CEO Ned Ryun posted on X. "As if they couldn’t get any lamer. . . Hold my beer and watch me release a stupid loser video and prove I’m even lamer than you thought!!"

"Trump Deranged Democrats release ‘choose your fighter skit’ after refusing to stand and clap for a child with cancer during President Trump’s address to congress," GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X. "Democrats have sunk so low that I’m actually starting to feel sorry for them. Pitiful."

POLLSTER WARNS DEMOCRATS' 'AMATEURISH' ANTI-TRUMP ANTICS ARE 'TANKING' WITH AMERICANS

"My God, who is advising the Democrats," former Trump campaign senior advisor Tim Murtaugh posted on X.

"I'll take "Reasons why Democrats are not in the majority" for $1,000," GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx posted on X.

"Anyone that has any doubt that the GOP can keep the house in 2026 should rest assured," communications strategist Erica Knight posted on X. "But at least they like American flags again."

Fox News Digital reached out to all six House Democrats for comment. 

President Donald Trump, while signing executive orders Thursday in the Oval Office, vowed to bring home two NASA astronauts who have been stuck in space for eight months.

"Elon [Musk] is right now preparing a ship to go up and get them," the president told Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy. "We love you, and we're coming up to get you, and you shouldn't have been up there so long."

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were stranded at the International Space Station after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft had technical issues. 

NASA ASTRONAUTS NOT ‘FRETTING’ OVER EXTENDED MISSION, ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR MORE TIME IN SPACE AFTER STARLINER WOES

Their mission began June 5, 2024, and was only scheduled to last eight days.

Due to numerous issues with the spacecraft, NASA deemed it unsafe to carry the astronauts back to Earth. 

It returned to the planet unmanned.

BOEING'S STARLINER SPACECRAFT LANDS BACK ON EARTH WITHOUT A CREW

One of the astronauts recently confirmed former President Joe Biden declined an offer of help from Musk, SpaceX CEO, the New York Post reported.

Trump on Thursday said Biden "left them alone" in space because he was "embarrassed by what happened."

BOEING STARLINER UNDOCKS FROM SPACE STATION, HEADS TO EARTH UNMANNED AS CREW STAYS BEHIND

He continued, "The most incompetent president in our history has allowed that to happen to you, but this president won't let that happen."

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to launch on Wednesday to head to the space station, then return home with Wilmore and Williams after a handover period of several days, NASA said. 

Trump later joked with Doocy about partaking in the mission.

"Should I go on that journey just to be on the ship when we stop?" the president asked Doocy.

Doocy responded, "If that's an option, yes."

NASA ASTRONAUT SAYS STARLINER CREW LIKELY TO CHANGE EXERCISE ROUTINE DURING EXTENDED ISS STAY 

"I should do it," Trump replied with a laugh. "That's terrible. I thought he liked me."

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Another reporter chimed in saying the president should stay on Earth, to which Trump responded, "She likes me better."

Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.