By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs had a "thank you" message for the community near the end of the city commission work session Thursday.
"We had some really nice numbers as far as the coronavirus was concerned this week," she noted, citing Wednesday afternoon's report from the Ellis County Health Department.
"The daily average is coming down and hopefully it can stay down," Jacobs said.
The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days fell from eight on Monday to six on Wednesday.
The mayor believes residents' decisions about gatherings is a major factor in the gradual decline of COVID-19 cases.
"It has to come from people considering what they're doing in crowds. That's where my belief comes from anyway," Jacobs said. "They're not spending as much time in crowds.
"I appreciate everything people are doing when it comes to masks, but mostly for gatherings."
Two days later, the Friday report showed numbers were up, just slightly.
On Monday, the decline resumed.
The Ellis County Health Department reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days fell from seven on Friday to five on Monday.
At the Oct. 2 city commission special meeting, commissioners voted to extend the resolution until there the seven-day average of new cases of COVID-19 per day in Ellis County is five or fewer for 14 consecutive days, or until the statewide state of disaster emergency removed.
Monday was the first report since that decision to meet the threshold.
The city's face covering mandate is still in effect.
RELATED: Phase 2 of vaccination plans begins Tuesday in Ellis County
The Hays Police Department issued the following reminder Monday morning:
The Hays City Mask Mandate is still in effect. The Hays Police Department would like to remind everyone to continue to practice social distancing, washing your hands frequently and wearing your mask. Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth to be in compliance with the ordinance.
Businesses are encouraged to post signage for patrons to wear masks. Restaurants and bars are reminded to distance tables at a minimum of six feet apart.
We really want to encourage people to stay vigilant and help protect our citizens as best we can. By working together, wearing our masks, washing our hands, and keeping our distance we help keep our citizens from getting sick, and keep our businesses open.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts and ask that you keep wearing your masks.
The police department has been out working with businesses and checking on compliance.
We are grateful for the continued cooperation and leadership of our citizens. Stay Healthy Hays.