photo by: John Hanna/AP

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly speaks with reporters Friday, April 16, 2021, at the Statehouse in Topeka.

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday directed that flags be lowered to half-staff across the state to recognize that more than 5,000 Kansans have now lost their lives to COVID-19.

The order extends until sundown on Sunday. As of midday Friday, the coronavirus had been blamed on 5,016 deaths in Kansas.

Kelly, in a news release, says the best way to honor the memories of victims “is by getting vaccinated” and practicing health protocols to protect against the spread of the virus.