(Face Covering Mandate extended)....The issue was discussed by the County Board of Supervisors this week.

The current mandate in Imperial County was issued in August. It calls for face coverings to be worn by everyone, vaccinated or not. The State mandate calls for face coverings for only those who have not been vaccinated. Officials said the COVID infection rate was still too high in Imperial County to reduce preventative measures right now. They said this week, the current mandate does include exceptions, but in general, the mandate will stay as is. The Supervisors did say the mandate will be reviewed periodically. There are currently 444 active cases of COVID 19 in Imperial County, with 26 COVID patients hospitalized countywide. Ten of those hospitalized are in Intensive Care.