/ Modified dec 30, 2021 9:41 a.m.

Flagstaff hotel cancels pine cone drops due to virus threat

Close to 6,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday in Arizona.

coronavirus 2 hero This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S.
NIAID-RML

A popular New Year’s Eve event normally attended by thousands in shoulder-to-shoulder conditions in downtown Flagstaff has been canceled again due to public health threats from the continuing coronavirus outbreak.

The Weatherford Hotel said Wednesday it canceled the three drops scheduled Friday afternoon and evening of a giant lighted metal pine cone to protect the health of the public and the downtown hotel’s staff.

Drops of the 70-pound ornament started in 1999 to honor the hotel’s 100-year anniversary.

State health officials on Thursday reported 5,687 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 41 more deaths. Arizona's pandemic totals now stand at 1,373,00 virus cases and over 24,200 deaths.

Organizers of Tucson's New Year's Eve event said on Wednesday they plan to hold the downtown party.

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