Biden mourns 500,000 American lives lost to coronavirus President Biden on Monday mourned the more than 500,000 Americans lost to the novel coronavirus and called for unity in the battle against the pandemic. Biden Marks Covid Milestone in Emotional White House CeremonySpeaking somberly and drawing on his own personal experience, President Biden sought not only to honor the dead, but also to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Biden mourns 500,000 Americans dead from Covid as he balances grief and hopeUS president holds moment of silence, flags lowered to half staff as pandemic death toll breaches half a million mark; 'Just like that, so many took their last breath alone' Biden marks 'heartbreaking milestone' of 500,000 US COVID deathsThe US is the worst-affected country in the world when it comes to deaths and cases, and accounts for 1 in 5 of the global fatalities. See pictures of the White House candlelight ceremony honoring the 500,000 Americans who died in the pandemic"This nation will smile again. This nation will know sunny days again. This nation will know joy again," Biden said. Biden honors covid-19 victims amid staggering toll, signs of hopeAs the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus hits 500,000, some trends hint at a better road ahead. But as the president holds a solemn memorial, the White House is wary of touting good news prematurely.