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SC cities with mask mandate seeing steep drop in virus cases, data shows

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says new evidence shows that communities mandating masks are seeing a steep drop in new COVID-19 cases.

Yet most towns in our area, haven’t passed such requirements.

This week, Rock Hill extended its mask mandate another 60 days, which means businesses must require them until Oct. 23. Fort Mill had a mask mandate, but let it expire after 30 days.

Rock Hill, Chester and York are the only local South Carolina cities that still require masks inside all businesses, although health officials say the mandates are working.

Two million people in South Carolina live in a community that requires face coverings -- those communities show a 43% drop in new cases over five weeks.

Cities and counties without mandates show a small increase of just over 1% during that same period.