Better than "absolute" figures are comparative figures, such as Covid related infections per million of the population in a country.
On this parameter, Spain and Italy were high up in the listings initially.
However, the USA has been inexorably catching up. A month ago it overtook Italy. Two days ago it was still below Spain (US=5,941 infections per million of the population, Spain=6161)
Today, Spain is nominally higher (it has gained an extra 7), but the USA is on target to pass it by next weekend.
Spain currently lies 11th in the rankings, with the US in 12th place.
Top places are Quatar (2.45% have caught it) Vatican city, Andorra, Bahrain, Kuwait, Chile.
Italy is in 25th place, just below the United Arab Emirates. Brazil lies way down in 35th place.
I wonder how 45 regards that.