MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Health Department is issuing a mask order for educational settings in Marquette County.

The order, which takes effect Thursday, requires that children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade consistently and properly wear a facial mask covering both nose and mouth while inside any enclosed building or structure of the institution.

Also, regardless of vaccination status, all persons providing service in an educational institution or setting to any child in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade must properly and consistently wear a facial mask while inside any enclosed building, vehicle or structure, officials said.

Marquette County is currently at a “high” COVID-19 transmission level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The test positivity rate is 12.49% and the weekly case rate is 333 per 100,000 population, with data coming from Sept. 12-18.

As a cumulative total of 5,755 probable/confirmed cases and 68 probable/confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19 have occurred in Marquette County.

As of today, 30% of cases within the last seven days have been in those under 18 years of age. Layered mitigation strategies including mask use are essential to protecting those under age 12 who are ineligible for vaccination against the highly contagious Delta variant.

The mask order will be effective beginning Thursday and will remain in effect until community transmission for Marquette County is categorized as “moderate” or “low” — according to the CDC’s metrics — for at least 14 consecutive days, or until further notice from Marquette County Health Officer Gerald Messana.

A complete copy or the order can be found at mqthealth.org.