Bells toll for lives lost as U.S. reaches 500,000 COVID deaths

FILE PHOTO: A man walks near a row of refrigeration units used as makeshift morgues located behind Bellevue Hospital as the Empire State Building is seen during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, U.S., March 31, 2020 REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States on Monday crossed the staggering milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 deaths just over a year since the coronavirus pandemic claimed its first known victim in Santa Clara County, California.

In a proclamation honoring the dead, President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on public buildings and grounds until sunset on Friday.