Evers Orders Flags At Half-Mast To Mark COVID-19 Deaths

MADISON, WI — Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the United States and Wisconsin flags to be flown at half-mast across the state on Tuesday in honor of the more than 6,300 Wisconsinites who have died from the coronavirus pandemic.

The order is effective until Feb. 26 and follows a similar order President Joe Biden issued on Monday ordering flags on federal properties to be flown at half-mast in honor of the more than 500,000 Americans who lost their lives because of the pandemic. Evers said in a statement he's asking for the people of Wisconsin to come together to mourn the loss of the "many spouses, parents, and grandparents, kids and grandkids ... who were taken by this virus too soon."

“With heavy hearts, we join our fellow Wisconsinites and Americans who are mourning the loss of someone they love and who, amid unimaginable challenges, have had to endure unfathomable grief this past year,” he said. “We must reaffirm our resolve to prevent further spread of COVID-19, save lives, and to defeat this pandemic together.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 33 new deaths from the virus on Tuesday and 566 additional positive cases. The health agency said a total of 560,564 have tested positive for COVID-19 and 25,838 have been hospitalized.

Today's #COVID19_WI update, and a reminder. We are holding a media briefing right now. Join us for answers to your questions about the status of #COVID19 in #Wisconsin, and our response to it: https://t.co/s0YjeYwDjm pic.twitter.com/0rVbrv0ckf
— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) February" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/DHSWI/stat... 23, 2021

While the state is increasing its vaccination, including establishing new community-based clinics to administer shots and launching a new vaccine information hub, residents are still being asked to protect themselves by staying at home if possible, wearing face coverings, frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and practicing physical distancing.