ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- The Elkhart County Health Department is encouraging residents to wear masks indoors because there has been a dramatic increase in hospital admissions and emergency room visits in the last 10 days.

The county is at the advisory level of yellow for COVID-19 spread on the Indiana State Department of Health website.

Officials recommend those who have not been vaccinated to schedule an appointment via ourshot.in.gov or call 574-523-2283 for an appointment.

All of the public school districts in the county are masks-optional. The department encourages schools change their indoor masking policy due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant.

Business owners are also asked to encourage masking indoors.