Hopkins County has seen another recent spike in COVID-19 cases and local officials are encouraging, but not requiring, mask-wearing in public places.
Hopkins County was one of the hardest-hit areas of Kentucky early in the pandemic and they’ve had 278 total cases and 34 deaths.
During their weekly update Wednesday, Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton and Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield said the number of active cases has increased from three to 47 since June 17.
Mayor Cotton says the health department has been able to track some of the spike to folks going on vacation in states such as Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.
Judge Whitfield says while several people have asked him about making masks mandatory in public places, he doesn’t believe such an order would be enforceable and there are some people with medical conditions who cannot wear one.
Judge Whitfield and Mayor Cotton both urged folks to wear masks voluntarily, calling it a personal responsibility to help keep others healthy.