- At least 1 million people have died from the coronavirus worldwide, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
- Of that total, about 20% of people who died from the disease are Americans, according to JHU data.
- COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11 — merely 201 days ago.
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Reaching yet another grim milestone, the novel coronavirus has killed 1 million people worldwide, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The United States, with more than 205,000 deaths, makes up the largest chunk of that figure, accounting for about one-fifth of the worldwide death toll. Brazil follows with more than 141,000 deaths, and India is next with nearly 96,000.
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on March 11 — merely 201 days ago.
The disease has killed more Americans than every war US soldiers have died in since 1945 combined, Business Insider’s John Haltiwanger reported. The leading cause of death for Americans, heart disease, typically kills fewer than 650,000 people per year.
The pandemic has created uncertainty and instability, leading to roiled markets, shuttering many small businesses nationwide, and forcing the world to adapt to a new normal.
For nearly 7 months, people have been learning to live under once-unfamiliar laws and recommendations from health officials. Quarantining, practicing physical distancing, and wearing masks have become standard in most countries. As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths continues to rise worldwide, health officials are predicting that these practices will remain the new norm until deep into 2021 and possibly 2022.
Scientists and pharmaceutical companies have been racing to create a vaccine to prevent COVID-19. But it will take more time to release safe and effective shots, and even longer to inoculate enough of the global population to achieve herd immunity.
US President Donald Trump has said a vaccine could be ready by the 2020 presidential election. But US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said he anticipates a vaccine coming out no earlier than 2021.
Treatments for the disease have also improved in the last 6 months. Pharmaceutical companies are reporting positive results from several drugs to improve the outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Since the disease is so new, we still don’t know the long-term effects it could have. Thousands of so-called long haulers have reported symptoms — including fevers, brain fog, memory loss, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and blurry vision — more than 100 days later.
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