MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers has extended Wisconsin's mask mandate until Nov. 21 due to continuously increasing COVID-19 cases across the state. 

Evers on Tuesday said the face coverings extension goes hand-in-hand with a new public health emergency. Both go into effect immediately. The recent surge in cases among young people, especially on college campuses, played a big factor in the decision.

Both orders will expire in 60 days, which is on Nov. 21.

Sixty days is the maximum time a health emergency can run, according to state law. The previous order was set to expire this upcoming Monday.

“We continue to learn more about this virus, but what we do know is that we are facing a new and dangerous phase of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Wisconsin,” Evers said. “We are seeing an alarming increase in cases across our state, especially on campus. We need folks to start taking this seriously, and young people especially — please stay home as much as you are able, skip heading to the bars, and wear a mask whenever you go out. We need your help to stop the spread of this virus, and we all have to do this together.”

Per state health officials, 18- to 24-year-olds have a case rate five times higher than any other age group. Last week, eight Wisconsin cities were listed among the top 20 cities in the United States where COVID-19 cases were rising fastest, and six of those eight cities have University of Wisconsin System campuses.

“The current surge among young people is concerning, but it is important to remember that this increase in cases is not confined to college campuses,” Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said. “Students come to these campuses from across the state, and we worry about the effect their return from an area with a high-infection rate could have on their home communities. That is why it is imperative we take action to curb transmission now – to protect residents of Wisconsin in every corner of the state.”

Wisconsin residents ages five and older are required to wear a face covering when they are indoors or in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household or living unit.

As of Tuesday, 104,170 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported across the state. This is nearly 33,500 additional cases reported since the month before. Additionally, the daily number of new cases rising from 678 on August 31 to 1,791 on Monday.

“We are in crisis mode right now if you were to look at Brown County, or even across the state,” said Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO of Prevea Health. “Unlike when we saw outbreaks in the spring where you could identify say a meat packing plant, or a prison, or a nursing home or assisted living, it’s everywhere right now. It is a super-spreader state right now, so anything that would mitigate that such as masking should be implemented in a crisis mode.”

Evers faced criticism Tuesday from his opponents in the state legislature.

The officer of Speaker Robin Vos released this statement Tuesday: “Wisconsin’s lawless governor continues to rule by fiat and it must end. This latest order is obviously illegal. Wisconsin Statutes clearly state the powers given to the executive branch during a public health emergency are limited. There is already a court challenge and undoubtedly, there will be more. No one branch of government can rule outside the letter of the law and go unchecked, even during a pandemic.”

Rai says it’s disappointing the pandemic has been, in his view, politicized.

“Unfortunately we made healthcare political, we made the lives of our fellow citizens political, and we need to stop that,” Dr. Rai said.