AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A grim milestone was reached Thursday, with the number of deaths of Travis County residents due to COVID-19 surpassing the 500 mark - prompting a reminder from local health officials of the deadly nature of the ongoing pandemic.
502 people have died from COVID-19 in Travis County since the pandemic began. As of Thursday, 23,325 COVID-19 deaths have been reported statewide.
"We are so close to having access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, so we must stay the course to protect our loved ones," Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden said in a statement. "We must continue to take the same precautions we have been encouraging throughout the pandemic: wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, avoid nonessential trips outside the home, and if you do leave your home, social distance and wear a face mask."
The local deaths range from as young as 20 years old to over the age of 80, with the majority being in persons over 60 years old.
Travis County ranks among the lowest pandemic-related death toll per capita compared to other Texas counties, though officials warn that can change quickly if residents let their guard down.
"One death is too many. It is hard to fathom 502 loved ones lost," Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said in a statement. "We all want to return to normal, but we also want to protect our family and friends from the pandemic. Our community is strong, and we cannot do this without each other."
More than 1,585,221 people have died across the world as a result of COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
