MidHudson News is reporting Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan has signed an executive order mandating that all county employees, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when inside county-owned buildings and facilities. County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith also issued updated guidance that strongly recommends the public wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, as well. “...For the safety of our residents and our staff, we are now requiring that everyone wear masks inside all county buildings,” Ryan said. “As the science has consistently shown, masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately safe lives.” The county August 31, reported 576 cases of COVID-19, attributing it to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Ulster County officials are expected to reactivate the former Best Buy space in the Hudson Valley Mall as a point of distribution for booster shots. According to county data, 274 people have died from COVID-19 in Ulster County including one person who died this week. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.