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WHEELING -- While the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw formal trick-or-treating events shuttered in 2020, Wheeling residents can be comfortable in expecting that their kids can walk the neighborhoods again this Halloween.
The advent and proliferation of the COVID-19 vaccine this year and dramatically decreasing number of COVID cases in recent weeks have paved the way for a pretty uneventful Halloween, according to Wheeling-Ohio County Health Administrator Howard Gamble.
The county reported fewer than 100 new cases of COVID over the course of last week, a low point since mid-August.
"We have a lot more people vaccinated, a lot more people protected," Gamble said. "(Reason) two, it's an outside event, and finally, the disease rate in the community. Right now, going into Halloween season, we've dropped dramatically -- it's steady, but dramatic, from our height earlier in the fall.
"With that going into this outdoor holiday, there's less concern on public health for disease transmission," he added. "There's always concerns for other things -- kids need to stay safe walking around, (parents) checking candy, the standards. As far as disease, there's a little less than what we had last year."
In 2020, Ohio and Marshall counties axed Halloween events as cases worsened.
Ohio County had entered gold status on the state alert COVID map, while Marshall had gone orange. With official events and times called off, informal events continued, though with reportedly small numbers of trick-or-treaters.
For this year, Gamble advised that people exercise basic caution with regards to the spread of disease — maintain social distance where possible, don't go out, or bring kids out, if sick, and wash your hands.
"If the kids are there, maintain some level of social distancing, hand washing, is always encouraged," he said. "These are outdoor events, mostly. But if the families are having parties, you'll want to be able to ... be safe about it. If we're going to gather, make sure the kids are washing hands, no one's going if they're sick, If they're in isolation or quarantine, they stay put until it's done. Those are the real concerns.
"I think, with an event like this that only comes around once -- versus a weekend or maybe having another birthday party coming up -- people may say 'It's not that bad, I don't have any symptoms, I'll go out.' No, stay home, don't pass it if you're sick, go get tested if you are just to make sure so we can isolate and treat you properly."