YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – The rate of positive Covid-19 infections has trailed off across the region and state over the past few weeks.

In mid-November, Yankton County was seeing over 100 new infections a day with total active cases over 600 at the peak.

The Yankton City Commission passed a face mask mandate in early December and now there are under 70 active cases.

Mayor Nathan Johnson says he thinks the mandate played a part.

Johnson says they tried to work with the best information they had at the time.

Johnson says they got pressure from a lot of different directions.

State health officials are still encouraging the use of face masks, social distancing and other hygiene practices until vaccines are widely distributed.