The United States of America has become the first country to hit the one million mark in terms of deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an official statement released by the White House and signed by Joe Biden, US President, the development was described as a ‘tragic milestone’.

“Today, we mark a tragic milestone: one million American lives lost to COVID-19. One million empty chairs around the dinner table. Each an irreplaceable loss. Each leaving behind a family, a community, and a nation forever changed because of this pandemic,” the statement reads in part. 

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“In remembrance, let us draw strength from each other as fellow Americans. For while we have been humbled, we never give up. We can and will do this together as the United States of America.

“May God bless the one million American lives lost and their loved ones left behind.”

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The US reported its first case of the virus in January 20, 2020. The victim, a Seattle native, tested positive after returning from a visit to Wuhan in China, the district believed to be the source of the pandemic. Since then, the US has recorded more than 81 million cases.