(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The United States has now seen more than half a million people die from COVID-19.

The U.S. passed the dire milestone late Monday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University, which reported 500,071 deaths from the virus since the first case in America was identified in Washington state on January 20, 2020.

The U.S. continues to have the greatest number of reported COVID-19 deaths and infections than any other country. As of Monday afternoon, the total number of reported infections in the U.S. stood at 28,168,735. 

The U.S. leads the world in coronavirus-related deaths, and is the location for 20.3% of the world’s 2.47 million deaths related to the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University.

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation following the news, saying in part, “On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind.  We, as a Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.”

He ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on federal grounds until sunset on February 26.

Biden noted that now more Americans have died from COVID-19 than in World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined.

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