500,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths: ‘A truly tragic reminder of the enormity of this pandemic’
The U.S. on Monday hit the staggering milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths, as President Biden and others across the country paused to reflect on the immense loss over the last year.
The country’s death toll eclipsed the grim milestone just before 5 p.m., according to the Johns Hopkins University virus tracker. More than 500,000 Americans have now died in less than a year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first U.S. coronavirus death on Feb. 29, 2020.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden were holding a moment of silence and candle lighting ceremony Monday evening at the White House to memorialize the lives lost to COVID-19.
“As of this week during the dark winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 500,000 Americans have now died from the virus,” Biden said in a proclamation on Monday. “That is more Americans who have died in a single year of this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined.
“On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind,” he added. “We, as a Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.”
Biden also ordered that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff to remember those lost to the virus.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, “The loss of 500,000 American lives from the coronavirus is an horrific human toll of staggering proportions and incomprehensible sadness. Every life lost is a profound tragedy that we mourn and that breaks America’s heart.”
The White House COVID-19 Response Team reflected on the loss during Monday’s briefing, with Senior Adviser Andy Slavitt saying, “Everyone lost is someone whose life and gifts were cut short.”
“The occasion makes us more determined to turn the tide on COVID-19 so the losses can subside and the healing can begin,” Slavitt said.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called the milestone “a truly tragic reminder of the enormity of this pandemic.”
Walensky said the pandemic has also led to many other deaths aside from those lost to coronavirus, such as people who delayed medical care.
The CDC director said, “When history writes this we will understand that the mortality related to this pandemic is far greater than the numbers that we have been counting for numerous reasons.”
In Massachusetts, health officials have reported 15,534 confirmed virus deaths and 319 probable virus deaths.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2OSeaGv
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