PROSPECT PARK — Staff and students at the borough's K-8 school are once again required to wear face masks in the building due to a statewide uptick in cases of COVID-19.

Tyeshia Reels, acting school superintendent, said in a letter to parents that her decision to return to universal masking was based on the most current recommendation from the state Department of Health.

The local mandate took effect on Monday, just as news outlets in the U.S. reported that the nation's death toll from the virus reached 1 million.

"We want to ensure that we are providing our staff, students and community with a safe learning environment," Reels wrote in the letter, posted to the school's Facebook page.

Eighteen of the 21 counties in the state are now considered to have "high" transmission activity, according to health authorities. Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties in the southernmost part of New Jersey make up the only region in the "moderate" range.

COVID:Anti-viral COVID drugs are available in NJ, but the medicines are hard to get

NOW STREAMING: Documentary about Prospect Park mayor noticed by Hollywood

'HERO TO ALL': Zack Tahhan praised for help in capture of alleged subway shooter

Universal masking is suggested when the level is "high" — and especially where it may be hard to incorporate other strategies of prevention, such as adequate ventilation and social distancing. 

The widely unpopular mandate on universal masking in schools expired on March 7.

Since that time, school districts in the state have had the flexibility to make the call on their own.

In Passaic County, there have been 133,888 virus cases, 9,045 hospitalizations and 2,135 deaths since the start of the outbreak in March 2020.

The school on Brown Avenue offers virus testing for its 800 students on Tuesdays.

If your school district requires face masks, please let us know.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.