U.S. COVID-19 death toll passes 400,000

Washington, January 19 (RHC)-- The United States’ death toll from COVID-19 has topped 400,000 — by far the worst in the world.  

California has become the first state to top 3 million cases.  In Los Angeles County, where about 10 people are dying of COVID-19 every hour, officials have suspended air quality regulations to allow for more cremations, after funeral homes and hospitals exceeded their capacity to store bodies of the dead.

President-elect Biden’s incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain, warns the U.S. death toll will reach a half-million by the end of February.  Over the weekend, the Trump administration said it would lift COVID restrictions on international travelers -- but Joe Biden’s transition team immediately shut down the plans.