KINGWOOD — If you’re going to join in trick or treating, follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
That was Preston Health Department Director V.J. Davis’s advice as he spoke to the Preston County Commissioners Tuesday.
But he would prefer you not go looking for treats because of the possibility of getting COVID as well.
When people call the health department for guidance on trick or treating, “we have to err on the side of caution. If they’re looking for our recommendation, it’s not to do anything. Anytime you gather people together you’re more likely to spread the virus.”
Health departments initially waited on the governor to issue recommendations for the holiday. Instead Gov. Jim Justice advised people to follow CDC guidelines.
Those can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.
The CDC views the traditional handing treats out the door in person scenario as high risk. If treats are individually wrapped and set outside for children to pick up, that’s considered moderate risk.
“So we’re not telling people they can’t have Halloween. We’re just simply referring them to the CDC guidelines, if they choose to do it,” Davis said.
Each community will have to make its own decision, Davis said.
“It might be the one day we can everybody to wear a mask,” he added.
As of Tuesday morning, Preston was in the green on the governor’s COVID map, with an infection rate of 4.27 and percent positivity of 2.83.
“The lesser of the two is what determines your color,” on the map, Davis said.
Preston seems to go through a few days without a positive result, them a few days with cases.
“Not sure what the reason for that is, but the fact of the matter is it’s still out there. It’s still spreading very, very easily,” Davis said.
Preston County Schools has had six cases total since school opened, and last week Pine Ridge had one staff member test positive. In all those cases, it has been easy to trace contacts, Davis said.
With winter coming and people moving indoors, “we worry about that second big wave,” he said. “Just hope we don’t have to deal with that.”
As of Tuesday morning, Preston County had 149 total cases and 22 probable cases, 156 recovered and 11 active cases. Some of those 11 would probably be cleared llater Tuesday, Davis noted.
Commissioners also:
- approved the circuit clerk hiring Darla Shaffer at $12.50 per hour, beginning Nov. 1. She will fill a vacancy in the office.
- cancelled their Nov. 3 meeting because it falls on election day.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
