Des Moines’ mask mandate will remain in place despite Gov. Kim Reynolds’ late Friday announcement lifting the limited face covering and social distancing requirements on Sunday, Mayor Frank Cownie announced this weekend. As of Saturday, Polk County has the most recorded COVID-19 cases in Iowa, with 48,903 cases and 513 recorded deaths. Cownie signed an emergency proclamation in August 2020 requiring facial coverings at indoor public settings or when using public transportation or private car service. Since August, the city has distributed more than 50,000 facial coverings. “The governor’s decision is confusing and can’t be rationalized with the number of positive cases we continue to see across the state and here in Polk County,” Cownie said. “With an alarmingly more transmissible version of the virus now detected in Iowa, it is more important than ever that our residents and visitors follow the advice of medical experts, keep social distance and whenever out in public, wear a mask.”