In a release on Monday afternoon, health officials in LaGrange County are now requiring residents to wear face coverings in public in an effort to flatten a “sharp rise” in coronavirus cases.

The LaGrange County Health Department has said face masks must be worn: in indoor areas open to the public, including on public transportation or van transports, in outdoor public areas where social distancing guidelines of 6 feet cannot be maintained, or in private indoor or outdoor areas where that 6-foot distance from individuals outside of a household cannot be maintained.

The requirement comes as the health department tracks a “sharp rise” in COVID-19 cases within LaGrange County. Since May 31st, cases in LaGrange County have spiked from 84 total cases to 277 as of Monday's daily update from the Indiana State Department of Health.