NOLA Officials Mark Anniversary Of Coronavirus Pandemic

From the City of New Orleans:

March 9, 2021

Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Tuesday joined officials and community leaders to commemorate the loss of lives on the anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in New Orleans.

“None of us could have imagined the state of the world in which we find ourselves today. We have lost 768 of our brothers and sisters due to COVID-19. To the loved ones of those we’ve lost: You have the City’s love, including mine. This year has been more difficult than anyone could have imagined, but our city has proven its strength and ability to overcome. We have faced these challenges together. We will recover, we will rebuild, and we will be stronger together. Please take a moment to drop a rose to remember the lives lost and honor our frontline workers.”

[WATCH: One-year commemoration of COVID-19 pandemic]

Mayor Cantrell was joined by Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of the New Orleans Health Department; Sunshine Jefferson, widow of Eugene Jefferson, one of the first residents to die from the pandemic; and representatives from the City of New Orleans' COVID-19 Death Task Force; and representatives from the Crescent City Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association.

[WATCH: More images from the commemoration on Facebook here]

This press release was produced by the City of New Orleans. The views expressed are the author's own.