A year after the start of the pandemic, New York, the city most affected by the coronavirus in the United States, organized a moving tribute for the 30,258 New Yorkers who lost their lives to COVID-19.

After asking to observe a minute of silence in honor of the victims, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a live virtual ceremony, "We have lost people from New York, more than we lost in the events of World War II, the Vietnam War, Hurricane Sandy and the events of September 11 combined."

"Every family has been affected," he added. "There is a pain many families suffer, severe pain."

De Blasio spoke in particular of the "heroes" of the health sector who "saved lives," sometimes at their expense.

The virtual party began with a short musical performance by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, in front of candles lit on the famous Brooklyn Bridge on a very cold and windy night. Large black and white photos of the victims were displayed on the bridge.