LOS ANGELES - The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, while acknowledging the heartbreaking toll of a health crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 520,000 Americans."One year ago today, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
The toll of this disease and the continued loss of life around the world and in our nation is heartbreaking. To so many of you who have felt the pain and loss of a loved one during this pandemic – you have suffered the ultimate loss, and we grieve with you," Dr.