In most of June in Winneshiek County, there were two new coronavirus cases reported. In August, there have already been 31.

The ordinance has been passed as coronavirus cases in Winneshiek County continue to rise.  For the first 28 days of June, there were two coronavirus cases in Winneshiek County. As "COVID fatigue" set in and as steps were taken to relax restrictions, the coronavirus has made a comeback.  Now we've had 31 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the first 17 days of August.

The City of Decorah's new coronavirus mask ordinance is seen as educational--it only carries a fine for someone's third or subsequent violation, and then the fine is $10.  (Note: NOT $300 and a trespassing conviction). That means it might not move the needle much on reducing the number of new COVID-19 cases in Winneshiek County.  On the other hand, with classes starting in school districts and on college campuses in a few weeks, perhaps even holding steady would be seen as an accomplishment.  For now, however, the trend in COVID-19 cases is heading in the wrong direction.