The United States COVID-19 death toll has surpassed 20,000, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The tally came soon after the U.S. surpassed Italy to become the country with the most COVID-19 deaths globally.

The World Health Organization warned earlier this month that the U.S. could become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, a status held by Europe.

As the toll continues to rise in the U.S. New York City announced that schools would remain shut down for the rest of the academic year.