County: Small gatherings key to health Halloween
By Patrick Lynn
With a surge in coronavirus locally, county officials are asking the public to celebrate Halloween safely.
Numerous communities across the county have frowned on trick-or-treating without specifically canceling it, but the Portage Co. Health Department is asking residents to avoid attending or hosting gatherings of any size—particularly outside of their immediate household.
“Portage County has been identified as having a very high activity level for COVID-19, which is indicative of community spread,” said Ray Przybelski, director of Portage Co. Health and Human Services. “People need to assume that the virus is everywhere.”
The county is still operating under the guidelines of Emergency Order #3, which limits indoor gatherings to 25 percent capacity, even though the order is under a temporary injunction by the 3rd District Wisconsin Court of Appeals. While the order does include several exemptions, Halloween gatherings are not among them.
“Although we understand that people want to get together to celebrate the Halloween holiday, we strongly, strongly advise that [people] avoid any type of gathering,” Przybelski said. “We all need to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, and avoiding those social gatherings is a way to do that.”
Community members are asked to continue:
- Wear a cloth face covering, unless you are unable to wear one for medical reasons
- Maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live
- Reconsider gathering indoors with people who do not live in your household
- Limit outdoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer, physically distance, and wear face coverings
- Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
- Check daily for symptoms, and stay home if you are sick
- If you have symptoms, call your health care provider, get a test, and stay home to await results
- Answer the phone when the health department calls if you tested positive or are a close contact
Business and community organizations are being asked to continue to implement WEDC Guidelines to protect employees and customers:
- Promote cloth face coverings
- Create spaces that maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet between people
- Limit the number of people indoors
- Move meetings and gatherings to virtual
- Encourage delivery, carryout, and curbside options
- Consider postponing events
COVID Testing
Free drive-thru COVID testing is being offered at the Aging and Disability Resource Center three days a week.
On Mondays beginning, the Wisconsin National Guard will provide the testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 7.
Portage Co. Health and Human Services will offer testing on Tuesdays from 1-5 p.m. and every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Dec. 17.
All of the testing events are being held via drive-thru service at the rear carport of the Aging and Disability Resource Center, also known as The Lincoln Center, 1519 Water St. in Stevens Point. Motorists should access the ADRC from Arlington Place, then turn south onto Elk St. The entrance will be clearly marked.
Residents are asked to preregister using COVID Connect for all testing days.