A tribute is seen during a memorial service for people who lost lives to COVID-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 19, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
U.S. Louisiana State Governor John Bel Edwards on Sunday declared March 14 as the Remembrance Day for those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in the past year.

On March 14, 2020, Louisiana had its first death due to coronavirus. As of the one year anniversary of the first death, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 9,861 deaths in the state.

"One year ago, we reported Louisiana's first death due to COVID-19. Over the last 365 days, we've lost 9,860 more of our friends, neighbors, brothers, and sisters. As we move toward the light at the end of what's been a long tunnel, we will never forget those we've lost," said the governor.

"We owe it to all of them to protect ourselves and each other as best we can to continue to slow the spread of COVID and prevent even more deaths as we work to end this pandemic," he said.

The first known case of COVID-19 in Louisiana was reported on March 9, 2020. Just days later on March 11, Edwards declared a public health emergency in the southern state.