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LAPLACE — Residents in St. John the Baptist Parish will be required to wear masks in government buildings effective July 29, President Jaclyn Hotard announced Tuesday night during a Parish Council meeting in LaPlace.

Additionally, all parish employees who are not vaccinated will be required to wear masks when working indoors or outside if social distancing is not possible.

Hotard’s announcement came as COVID-19 cases continue to spike throughout Louisiana, including St. John Parish. Through July 26, the parish has a total of 4,349 COVID-19 cases.

During the week of July 2, the parish was averaging three cases per day, but by the week ending July 26, the cases had spiked to 36 per day.

From July 13-26, a total of 357 new cases were recorded in St. John.