President Joe Biden is commemorating a tragic milestone for the country today as over one million Americans lost their lives to COVID-19.

The president released a statement Thursday morning offering his prayers for those who lost their lives to COVID-19 calling them irreplaceable and adding that this pandemic has changed the nation forever.

Th statement comes just days after the president urged Congress to pass a multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine before passing a new round of COVID-19 funding, which includes $22.5 billion in COVID assistance. The president is expected to attend the second global summit Thursday where he will ask countries for financial contributions to use for vaccines, testing, and treatment.

The fight against COVID continues in New York City as cases started to rise last month and are now taking a small dip. Over a seven-day average per 100,000 people in the Bronx, there are about 161 cases. In Brooklyn, there are about 260 cases.

The president has asked that flags be flown at half-staff Thursday in recognition of all those who were lost to COVID-19 during the pandemic.