The number of global deaths ascribed to COIVD-19 has topped five million, according to the Johns Hopkings University.
The official figures may be much higher because of the different ways data are collected across the globe.
According to the Johns Hopkins Univerity, US deaths total close to three-quarters of a million, the highest of any nation, demonstrating that the wealth of a nation is no guarantee of safety from the deadly effects of the coronavirus.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, called it a “devastating milestone”.
Worldwide, only heart disease and stroke are killing more people than COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began, the Johns Hopkins University has recorded 246.8mln cases, of which 11.75mln have come over the last 28 days.
Total deaths number 5,002,179, with the 28-day total running at 197,116.
US cases total 45.97mln, making it comfortably the most infected nation on earth, with the 28-day total running at 2.27mln.
The UK is the second most-infected nation, with 9.1mln cases since the pandemic started and 1.16mln over the last 28 days.