Calling it a “tragic milestone,” Oregon Health Authority’s Patrick Allen acknowledged the state’s 5000th COVID-19 related death, which was surpassed on Monday.
“Each death represents a hole in someone’s life that will never be filled,” he said. “Too many Oregonians will see empty chairs around their holiday dinner table. Each death represents lost love, laughter and memories for family and friends.”
Allen said his sadness is compounded by the knowledge that nearly all the recent COVID-19 deaths could have been prevented with vaccination. Allen urged everyone to get the vaccine or a booster, now available to anyone 18 and over.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon ranks 19th among states for the percentage of population who’ve received at least one dose of the vaccine.
