As global cases of the coronavirus continue to

climb towards 12 million, the United States hit an unenviable distinction

today.

The United States officially crossed the three-million mark for cases of the virus that has claimed more than half a million lives globally.

The US has 3,016,515 COVID-19 cases as at

publishing, according to the John Hopkins University virus tracker.

Additionally, the nation has recorded 131,666 deaths, by far the most recorded

by any nation.

The virus has devastated life in the US, which

only recorded its first case on January 21. Just 99 days later, the country

recorded its first one million infections. Forty-three days after that, it has

another million. And now, just 28 days later, it has confirmed yet another million,

reporting 60,021 cases yesterday alone.

Hospitalisations continue to increase in

several states, including Texas and California, as growing numbers reverse gains

made by widespread stay-at-home orders and shutdowns.

Health

officials continue to encourage the wearing of masks to contain the virus spread,

even as a new model projects there could be 208,000 COVID-19 deaths by November

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