(KMZA)--Due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Nemaha County, Kansas, the County Commission, during a special meeting Thursday, approved a new public health order making the wearing of masks mandatory in public.

The order is effective immediately and will remain in place through December 14, at which time it will be reviewed.

It rescinds a previous order issued in July to opt-out of Governor Laura Kelly's mask mandate.

Nemaha County Health Officer Jane Sunderland, and several healthcare professionals from both the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca and Sabetha Community Hospital. addressed the Commission via Zoom regarding the current spread of the virus in the county.

Sunderland said the county currently has 244 active cases, with 7 hospitalizations. There have been a total of 670 positive cases since the pandemic began, with six COVID-related deaths.

Sunderland said the county's current recommendation to voluntarily wear masks in public has not been effective and urged Commissioners to make the wearing of masks mandatory, pointing out it would be in an effort to keep businesses open in the county.

She noted that when the County voted to opt out of the Governor's order in July, there were only 3 active cases at the time and no hospitalizations or deaths.

The new public order has been posted to the Nemaha County website and the Nemaha County Facebook page.