Although the figure of 2 million is frightening, experts say the actual number of deaths is probably much higher. Only confirmed deaths from Covid-19 are included in the count, which means that people who die without a firm diagnosis may not be included.
With testing still inadequate in many countries around the world, there may be hundreds of thousands of additional deaths.
Christopher Murray, director of the Institute of Metrics and Health Assessment at the University of Washington in Seattle, said that an analysis of excess mortality suggests that up to a fifth of coronavirus deaths may not be recorded.
“We found that, on average, total deaths are 20% higher than reported deaths,” he told CNN by email, adding that the proportion varies substantially between different countries.
“There are extreme cases, like Ecuador, Peru or Russia, where the total number of deaths is 300-500% higher than the reported deaths … but where we have data, the average ratio is 20% higher.”
As vaccination programs begin to be rolled out worldwide, there is a glimmer of hope – although it will probably take years for the vaccine to be offered to everyone.
Meanwhile, the pandemic is getting worse. The death toll is increasing faster than ever. Although it took eight months for the world to record 1 million deaths from Covid-19, the second million occurred in less than four months.
Several countries, including the United States, Germany, Sweden, Indonesia, Israel and Japan recorded the deadliest days of the pandemic last week. The number of cases globally is rapidly approaching 100 million.
The United States recorded by far the highest total number of deaths in the world, followed by Brazil, India and Mexico. But the pandemic has hit every corner of the globe and only a few tiny, isolated nations have reported no deaths.
The virus hit the elderly harder, but that does not mean that young people are not dying. Poorer people and members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and frontline workers are dying at much higher rates. But death also spared no celebrities and royalty.
There are now 2 million deaths. 2 million stories. 2 million empty chairs at the dining table. Here are the names of a small fraction of those who lost their lives:
Kimora “Kimmie” Lynum was a 9 year old child who adored unicorns. Thomas Harvey cared for patients recovering from stroke. Adan and Mariah Gonzalez were Raiden’s parents, 4 years old. José Ángel Medina Soto was a famous Mexican singer. Rita Haro, Jose “Chico” Haro and Manuela “Nellie” Johnson they were brothers who loved homemade tamales and soap operas. Demetria Bannister was an elementary school teacher who loved music. Fabrizio Soccorsi was Pope Francis’ personal doctor. Evelyn Ochoa-Celano left retirement as a nurse to come back and fight on the front line of the pandemic. Patrick Ellis was a former DC radio host. AshLee DeMarinis was a high school teacher. Jean-Jacques Razafindranazy he was an emergency physician respected by his team. Daniel Moran died a few days after losing his father Miguel Moran. Erika Becerra died three weeks after giving birth to a healthy baby boy. Conrad Buchanan he loved to dance with his daughter. Soumitra Chatterjee it was a legend of Indian acting. Dr. Rebecca Shadowen it was “your family’s glue”. Sergio Humberto and Dolores Padilla Hernandez they were brothers. Thomas Slade, a professor from Mississippi, sometimes used a hammer in class. Keith and Gwendolyn Robinson were best friends, married for 35 years. Xavier Harris was a 4 year old child who died the day after Christmas. Carla Sacchi she died after her husband serenaded her on the street. Rev. Vickey Gibbs he had a passion for social justice and an ability to prepare colorful and beautiful breakfasts. Fatemeh Rahbar was a newly elected member of the Iranian Parliament. Guy Tetro played bass in a rock band. Tracy Larsen and her father Burt Porter he died just a few minutes apart. Kiyotaka Suetake, known as Shobushi, was a sumo wrestler. Lieutenant Aldemar “Al” Rengifo Jr. was a 20-year veteran in a sheriff’s department in South Florida. Dr. Mohammed Al-Youssef was a doctor in Syria. Ken Shimura was a famous Japanese comedian. Samantha Diaz left three children behind. Flavio RamosThe family discovered that his body was missing in a hospital invaded by the virus. Eve Branson was the mother of Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group. Noe Martinez Domingues once made a kart for his children with an old lawn mower. Zororo Makamba was a prominent Zimbabwean journalist. Patricia Dowd loved to travel. Herman Cain was a former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza. Skylar Herbert she was the 5-year-old daughter of the first two respondents. Belly Mujinga she was a box office worker who was spat out while working. Cynthia Alcantara Barker was the mayor of Hertsmere in England. Kenzo Takada was a designer famous for creating the Kenzo fashion house. SP Balasubrahmanyam was one of the most renowned film singers in India. Ruben Burks he spent more than 60 years defending the work of women and people of color in the union movement. Donna Mitchell organized potlucks in her neighborhood and even became a substitute grandmother for the kids next door. Maria Teresa de Bourbon-Parma was a Spanish princess and distant cousin of King Felipe VI. Iris Meda left retirement to teach nursing classes. May Bunjes spent decades as a volunteer. Margaret Ann Spangler she was a strong, intelligent, obstinate, funny and caring woman who loved her family fiercely. Adeline Fagan he was a second-year OBGYN resident. Maria mercader was a producer for CBS News. Dr. Susan Moore he liked to practice medicine. Paul Blackwell and Rose Mary Blackwell they were both teachers and married for 30 years. Jay-Natalie La Santa she was the daughter of a New York fireman. Roy Horn it was half of a popular Las Vegas animal and magic act. Dr. Carlos Araujo-Preza was a doctor who cared for some of the sickest patients at Covid-19 in Houston. Luke Letlow he was an elected congressman. Zelene Blancar, a first grade teacher, taught her students to be kind. Chad Dorrill was a college student and former high school basketball player. Li Wenliang was a doctor widely regarded as a hero in China for blowing his whistle about the initial coronavirus outbreak.
Additional graphics by CNN’s Sarah-Grace Mankarious.
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