BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) student quarantine numbers are down a few weeks after the district announced a mandatory mask mandate.

The school district started out with optional masking but quickly pivoted to a mandate as COVID-29 cases rose. Parents like Kelly Naylor are all for it.

“I’m fine with it because a lot of the kids aren't able to get vaccinated," said Naylor. "So they are doing what they need to do to keep the numbers down."

A district spokesperson told Spectrum News 1 that the number of quarantined students grew to as many as 1,700 students. You can find that story here. 

That number has since dwindled to 371 students in quarantine, which equals about 1% of the entire student body, according to WCPS. There are 187 students with positive cases and 23 district employees as of this article's publishing.

Ashli McCarty from the Barren River Health Department said it's important that schools practice masking. 

“Research has shown that the delta variant is even more transmissible," said McCarty. "Especially as delta cases continue to rise across the nation, it's important that kids and faculty and others in high traffic areas are continuing to mask."

According to WCPS, around 60% of all faculty are vaccinated, but some parents like Anna Young still aren't convinced masks are the best option. 

“If you are going to get sick, you are going to get sick. I have lived through a lot. Measles, mumps and we never shut the country down." said Young. "We went to school if we weren't sick and stayed home if we were sick. Thats just the way it was."

The Kentucky Board of Education approved requiring universal masking in public schools Aug. 12 That ruling will be in effect for 270 days.