Marshall County has declared a public health emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are more than 1,300 cases of coronavirus in the county, according to the Marshall Co. Health Department.  In the past few weeks, 263 people have tested positive for the virus, County Commission President Kevin Overmyer told ABC 57.

The recent spike in coronavirus cases led county leaders to declare a seven-day public health emergency on Thursday.

“It’s a real health concern, but it’s also a mental concern. I know we all want this to be over with, but it’s not looking that way right now,” Overmyer told ABC57. “What this emergency does is just bring people back to awareness that there are problems out there.”

The public health emergency may be extended if coronavirus cases continue to rise, Overmyer said.