NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United States on Monday crossed the staggering milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 deaths just over a year since the coronavirus pandemic claimed its first known victim in Santa Clara County, California.<\/p>\n
In a proclamation honoring the dead, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on public buildings and grounds until sunset on Feb. 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind,\u201d Biden said in the proclamation. \u201cWe, as a Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bells tolled at the National Cathedral in Washington to honor the lives lost.<\/p>\n
The country had recorded more than 28 million COVID-19 cases and 500,264 lives lost as of Monday afternoon, according to a Reuters tally of public health data, although daily cases and hospitalizations have fallen to the lowest level since before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.<\/p>\n
About 19% of total global coronavirus deaths have occurred in the United States, an outsized figure given that the nation accounts for just 4% of the world\u2019s population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese numbers are stunning,\u201d Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top infectious disease adviser to President Joe Biden told ABC News\u2019 \u201cGood Morning America\u201d program. \u201cIf you look back historically, we\u2019ve done worse than almost any other country and we\u2019re a highly developed, rich country.\u201d<\/p>\n
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