U.S. Near 500,000 Deaths; U.K. to Open Cautiously: Virus Update Bloomberg 2/21/2021 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. is poised to reach 500,000 Covid-19 deaths, almost a year after the first was reported. Anthony Fauci, the U.S.’s top infectious disease doctor, called the number “almost unbelievable.” He said vaccinations slowed by bad weather should be back on track by midweek. New York state and California deaths slowed. The Biden administration continues to call for K-8 public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the end of April, and said the provision of additional funds will be key. Scott Gottlieb, former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said true herd immunity against the coronavirus may never come.