Arizona Gov. Ducey orders flags at half-staff to honor those lost to COVID
Feb 22, 2021, 4:51 PM | Updated: Feb 23, 2021, 7:42 am
(Office of the Governor Doug Ducey Photo)
(Office of the Governor Doug Ducey Photo)
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.”
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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.
