Governor orders flags lowered as Kansas tops 6K COVID deaths

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the state to be flown at half-staff to honor COVID-19 victims as Kansas exceeded 6,000 reported deaths. Kelly’s order Monday applied immediately and directed that flags remain lowered until sunset Wednesday. The governor has issued such an order every time Kansas reports another 1,000 COVID-19 deaths. According to Kansas health department data, the state averaged 15 additional reported COVID-19 deaths a day for the seven days ending Monday. The number of reported deaths rose 43 since Friday, making the total 6,024. The state also reported an average of 1,012 new cases and 37 additional hospitalizations a day for the seven days ending Monday.