Arizona to remember those who died from COVID-19 at ‘Memorial Day’ event

PHOENIX - The nearly 28,000 Arizona residents who have died of COVID-19 will be honored with a public ceremony.

A first-ever "COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day" will be held on the afternoon of March 7 at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe.

The Arizona Historical Society and nonprofit Marked By COVID are coordinating the event.

The outdoor memorial will include a display of photos of people killed by the virus, a COVID-19 memorial quilt and remarks from people in the public health field. Embry Health will offer free COVID-19 testing on site.

Marked By COVID was founded by Kristin Urquiza, whose father died of the virus in Phoenix in June 2020.

So far, Arizona has seen 27,708 deaths from the virus.

As the pandemic enters a third year, the death toll globally has surpassed 6 million. Several cities in the U.S. are holding COVID-19 memorial days this month.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers

In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Monitor your health daily

More COVID-19 in Arizona news

• Arizona OnTrack summer camp aims to help students make up for the loss of in-person learning
• Arizona Dept. of Health Services reduces frequency of COVID-19 updates from daily to weekly
• Navajo Nation maintains mask mandate as New Mexico drops it

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu. 

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

RELATED: Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Different viruses present similar symptoms

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.

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