(LAGRANGE) – LaGrange County leadership received an update Monday on the fight against COVID-19.

During a joint meeting of the LaGrange County Council and the LaGrange County Commission, County Health Officer Dr. Tony Pechin presented some background on the history of COVID-19 in LaGrange County and what has been done to help combat the virus.

Pechin says the County has had a mask ordinance since April and was one of the first counties in Indiana to have one. He says despite that, the COVID-19 numbers have been going up.

Pechin says it's important that people continue to practice safety guidelines to help keep COVID numbers down. Pechin says COVID-19 can and has attacked anyone. ...... {LISTEN}.

County Attorney Kurt Bachman reminded the Council and the Commission that the Health Department has certain powers and authority. ...... {LISTEN}.

The penalties include a fine of $2,500 for a first violation and $7,500 for a second violation.

The Council and the Commission agreed to support the Health Department as they continue to work to remind citizens that they must mask up, and businesses need to enforce the mask ordinance for their customers.