By Aaron Miller-
The United States has overtaken the rest of the world in recording more than 100,000 deaths from Covid-19.
The U.S has recorded more deaths from the disease than any other country in the pandemic, surpassing Britain, which has recorded more than 37,000 Covid-19 deaths.
The latest count of fatalities is 100,047 according to Johns Hopkins University data. The figure is more than double the deaths in any other country. The death toll is approaching that of the first world war, when more than 116,000 Americans died in combat.
The number of fatalities in the United States is feared to still be increasing as federal officials warn that the likely actual toll from the coronavirus is higher than the official figure.
A tracking project by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) of “excess deaths” in each state beyond seasonal averages suggests the official count of Covid-19 deaths could leave out thousands of cases.
The first confirmed coronavirus case in the United States emerged on 20 January, in Washington state, the same day that a first case was confirmed in South Korea. Months ensued in which the White House told states they would receive minimal federal support in obtaining testing kits, ventilators, protective equipment and other gear.
In a video, former vice-president Joe Biden expressed grief for the lives lost and condemned the administration for not acting sooner. “To those hurting, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Biden said.
Across Europe, the virus exacted a terrible toll. Eight of the 10 countries with the top per-capita rates of Covid-19 deaths are in Europe; the United States ranks ninth on that list, with about 30 deaths per 100,000 people, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Britain is third, with 55.64 deaths per 100,000.
Health experts predict millions more Covid-19 infections which can spread though the U.S population until the overall rate of infection is 50-60% . The predictions are based on the wide spread relaxation of lockdown rules in many cities in America.