US COVID-19 Deaths Surpass 500,000

20% of Global Deaths
More Than WWII and Vietnam War Fatalities Combined
Director Fauci: "Masks Likely Needed Until Next Year"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has surpassed 500,000.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

It has been about a year and a half since the first death was reported on February 6 last year. Although the recent infection trend has somewhat eased, delays in vaccination and the emergence of COVID-19 variants have led to analyses that the situation cannot be viewed optimistically.

According to the international statistics site Worldometer on the 21st (local time), the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States currently stands at 510,930. NBC also reported that the number of COVID-19 deaths was counted at 500,011. Johns Hopkins University counted the cumulative deaths at 498,700, but the breakthrough of 500,000 is also imminent.

The U.S. population accounts for about 4.2% of the world population, but the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths accounts for about 20% of the global deaths (2.46 million).

The New York Times (NYT) reported that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States exceeds the combined deaths of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.

AP News explained that the number of COVID-19 deaths surpasses those who died in 2019 from chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimer's, influenza, and pneumonia, equating to the disappearance of the populations of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Although the infection rate in the United States has significantly decreased recently, the number of deaths continues to rise. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine projected that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. will reach 614,000 by June 1. New York, California, and Texas still report more than 100 deaths per day.

The emergence of various COVID-19 variants and delays in vaccination still prevent the easing of vigilance. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview with CNN on the same day that the cumulative COVID-19 death toll exceeding 500,000 is "horrific," and suggested that Americans may need to continue wearing masks until next year.

Fauci said that although the daily number of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. has sharply declined since peaking last month, normal life may still be difficult. The NYT also expressed concern that although infection and death rates are decreasing and vaccines are available, the appearance of variants may require several more months to control the pandemic.

Fauci also expressed concern that "it is too early to predict when the U.S. can achieve herd immunity." According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of the 19th, 4.28 million Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Those who have received two doses number 17.89 million.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.