The most populous county in Missouri on Thursday rescinded its mask mandate, citing a recent court ruling. Dr. Faisal Khan, the acting health director for St. Louis County, said in a letter that the mandate is no longer in place, effective immediately. That came after the St. Louis County Council this week opted not to renew the mandate, which it has to do every 30 days, according to state law. It also came after a Missouri judge ruled local COVID-19 orders were illegal and ordered local health officials to rescind them. “Because of the Cole County order and the council’s decision not to approve a new face covering order, the Dept. of Public Health director this morning rescinded the prior face covering order. The Health Dept. continues to recommend masks in indoor settings. COVID cases are rising,” Sam Page, the executive of the county and a Democrat, said in a statement. …