The world is very close to reaching the 5 million ‘milestone’ of COVID deaths. However, the pandemic shows no sign of stopping and rages ahead. The US stands first with the highest number of deaths, followed closely by Brazil and India.
COVID-19 deaths rise across the world
About two years since the pandemic began, the world is closing in on the 5 million grim milestones of COVID-19 deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning people that the pandemic is far from over. The WHO believes that “global coordination” might help put a stop to it.
As per the COVID-19 data from John Hopkins University’s resource center, the world has recorded a total of 4,999,609 casualties as of November 1. Out of them, the United States takes the top with 745,832 total deaths. The US is closely followed by Brazil’s record of 607,824 fatalities. India follows third in the list with a total of 458,186 deaths. And, the United Kingdom has recorded a total of 141,055 deaths.
However, according to experts’ opinion, the impact of the pandemic is far worse than the recorded numbers. Hence, they believe that relying on the number of excess deaths is closer to the real representation. The WHO defines excess deaths as “the total number of deaths in a crisis compared to those expected under normal conditions”. Based on this, The Economist estimates the real number of COVID-19 deaths as 16.7 million worldwide.
The memories and memorials across the globe
Nations across the globe are struggling with not just the pandemic but also the after-effects of the deaths caused by it. “COVID-19 has destroyed lives and livelihoods, impacted our politics and the economy. It has shown that health is central, and should not be treated as a cost, but as an investment,” said the WHO director-general.
To honor those who lost their lives, several countries have constructed monuments. In Bergamo, Italy, a living monument stands tall, right outside a hospital where people lost their lives due to the oxygen shortage. 100 of the 700 planned trees are representing the ‘Wood of memory’. On the other hand, Suzann Brennan Firstenberg, an artist is credited for creating a temporary installation at Washington’s National Mall. The “In America: Remember,” installation contains white flags to remember Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19. India has an online covid memorial where people can submit details of those who lost their lives.
