The country had recorded more than 28 million Covid-19 cases and 500,054 lives lost. 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's population. In 2020, the virus has taken a full year off the average life expectancy in the United States, the biggest decline since World War Two. By December, the death toll had reached 300,000 as the United States entered a deadly post-holiday season that would claim 230,000 lives in the span of less than three months. Despite the grim milestone, the virus appears to have loosened its grip as Covid-19 cases in United States fell for the sixth consecutive week.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 22, 2021 19:18 UTC