Face coverings will be required at all indoor events at the Washington High School and Washington Middle School. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Iowa, the school district announced the requirement stating, “We feel the need to enforce this guideline for the safety of our students.” If spectators refuse to follow the guideline they will be asked to leave.

As of Wednesday, Washington County’s 14-day positivity rate was 11.8%, it had been below 3% back in August. Washington County has had 781 total confirmed cases, 12 deaths, and 532 people have recovered. From Monday to Wednesday at noon, Washington County added 50 new cases of the virus.

People are encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home when ill, avoid large gatherings, and wear a face covering in public. On Wednesday, Iowa hit a new high for COVID-19 hospitalizations with 777 people with 182 of those in intensive care and 63 people on ventilators.