It took just two months for the number of deaths related to COVID-19 in Oregon to grow from 3,000 to 4,000 after the Oregon Health Authority reported 20 more deaths over the weekend.
OHA Director Patrick Allen said in a statement: “These two milestones tell the story of how swiftly and severely the delta variant has moved through our communities.”
He added that many the latest deaths were preventable, as vaccines are widely available throughout the state.
“The vaccines are our best protection against serious illness and death from this virus,” Allen said. “My message to Oregonians today is simple: The delta variant has changed everything. Please, get vaccinated as soon as you can.”
Last Thursday, the OHA reported a record-high 59 deaths in its daily report on coronavirus in the state.