Arizona Gov. Ducey orders flags at half-staff to honor those lost to COVID

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags be at half-staff across the state Tuesday to honor those lost to COVID-19, following a proclamation by President Joe Biden.

The United States COVID-19 death toll topped 500,000 Monday, by far the highest reported in the world.

Arizona has lost 15,502 to COVID-19 as of the state health department’s daily update on Monday.

“As we pull together and continue to work to save lives and fight COVID-19, we also grieve and pray for all the lives we’ve lost in Arizona and across the nation to this disease,” Ducey said in a statement. “We mourn each and every life lost — loved ones, family, friends, neighbors.”

“Every life is precious, and we will continue to work hard to protect more Arizonans and overcome the devastating effects of the pandemic.”

After spiking to record highs following the holidays, case and hospitalization numbers have fallen to pre-Thanksgiving levels in Arizona.

The seven-day average for the state health department’s newly reported coronavirus cases was 1,528.14 for Sunday, according to tracking by The Associated Press, the second-lowest mark since Nov. 5. The seven-day average of newly reported deaths was at its lowest mark of the year on Sunday at 75.29.

Arizona ranks sixth in the nation for COVID-19 deaths per capita over the last seven days and 17th in cases, according to Monday’s update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The state was No. 1 in the U.S. in both categories at times in January.

In total, Arizona has documented 809,474 coronavirus infections since the pandemic began a year ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow @KTAR923