Officials in Polk County announced Friday it will be requiring masks for all staff and visitors in county buildings starting Aug. 9. The requirement comes after Polk County saw a 65% increase of COVID-19 cases over the last week, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

KCCI reports county officials said in a statement, “Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent illness, However, until our community reaches at least 75% vaccination rate and drops back into the moderate transmission rate category, masks will remain an effective tool in reducing our collective risk of hospitalizations and deaths, particularly in our unvaccinated population of children.”

The county has also extended vaccination incentives including two free tickets to those who get vaccinated during the clinics held Aug. 9 through Aug. 12 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Polk County Health Department. They will also receive a meal voucher for on-site food trucks.

Another COVID-19 vaccine lottery will also be held with a grand prize of $50,000. An additional ten winners will receive $1,000s and a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded.