Louisiana governor declares day of prayer for COVID-19 dead

White flags, placed by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office and representing every Louisiana death from COVID-19, are displayed outside the state Capitol, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, are near the statue of former Gov. Huey Long in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte) Slug BC-LA–Virus Outbreak-Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office placed

by: Associated Press

Posted: Mar 13, 2021 / 05:30 PM EST

Updated: Mar 13, 2021 / 02:13 PM EST

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared Sunday in Louisiana as a “day of prayer and remembrance” for the more than 9,000 people who have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began a year ago.

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 death in Louisiana.

The health department has confirmed 9,122 people have died in the state from COVID-19.

Hundreds of additional deaths are suspected from the disease caused by the coronavirus.

More deaths continue to be announced daily.

But public health officials hope wider availability to coronavirus vaccines will stem the number of new deaths.