STRUTHERS, Ohio - Schools in a community with the second-highest per capita rate of COVID-19 in the Mahoning Valley are making masks mandatory for students and staff.

Struthers school officials announced on Monday that after reviewing case reports and CDC recommendations, masks will provide the best opportunity for students to continue in-person learning.

“Due to the increase of positive COVID-19 cases and a number of quarantines within our buildings, the Struthers City School District will require masks for all students, parents, and staff entering our buildings beginning Tuesday, September 14, 2021,” the district announced on its website.

“We make decisions based on data and guidance as it is available. It is our goal to provide the most effective learning environment possible, which we strongly believe is in-person instruction,” according to the announcement.

The masking requirement is for the duration of the school day, but school officials recommend the use of masks at indoor extra-curricular events.

For the week ending Monday, September 13, Struthers schools reported confirmed COVID-19 cases among 11 students and one staff member.  Since the start of the school year in August, there have been 28 cases.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the Struthers 44471 zip code area recorded 110 cases of COVID-19 over the past week, with a rate of 1,024 cases per 100,000 population.  That is the second-highest per capita rate in the local three-county area, second only to Wellsville in Columbiana County

The masking requirement will be in effect in all buildings until further notice.