SALEM — More Oregonians died with COVID-19 in September than in all but two other months of the pandemic, according to new state data released Monday, Sept. 27.

September’s death toll now stands at 424 people, surpassing August for the third-most fatalities of the pandemic. And the carnage from the delta surge could push this month’s final tally past January, when 476 people died.

The monthly record, set in December, is 603 COVID-related fatalities.

Recognition of September’s grim milestone came as the Oregon Health Authority announced new death and case counts for the preceding three days.

Oregon’s summer coronavirus wave has largely killed the unvaccinated, and state officials continue to say vaccination offers the best protection against severe COVID-19.

Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in Oregon declined for the fourth week in a row Monday. But the decline was minimal — just a 2% drop compared to the previous week, after each of the previous three weeks posted double-digit rate reductions.