by Felicia Massey

The Medical Officer of Health for the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit urges trick-or-treaters to carry sanitizer and wear masks this Halloween season.

“Wear masks. Not costume masks, but actual masks approved for preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Medical Officer Dr. Natalie Bocking during a virtual health unit media session on Wednesday October 20.

“If you are trick-or-treating, remember to stay outdoors and to be spaced from other groups of kids. Try not to cluster on the doorstep of a house, or around the candy bowl.”

The health unit suggests adapting your costume around your medical or cloth mask, as well as thoroughly washing your hands before digging into your treats.

“There are some key public health messages to remember. If you are feeling sick or your child is feeling sick, you stay home,” urged Dr. Bocking.

For those attending Halloween parties, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) reminds the community that we are currently in the third stage of the Reopening Ontario Act, meaning there are still a number of COVID-19 capacity limitations and sanitation protocols that are to be followed.

“[The HKPR] continues to emphasize that outdoors is safer than indoors,” said Dr. Bocking.

Under federal restrictions, if you are at a gathering where everyone is fully vaccinated, you can consider removing your mask if you are comfortable.

Indoor social gatherings are limited to 25 people, while you can have 100 outdoors.

There are currently 12 cases across the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit, with nine in Kawartha Lakes, three in Northumberland and no active cases in Haliburton.

“[Case numbers are] trending down again, and I think this is consistent with what we are also seeing provincially,” Dr. Bocking reported at the session.

Since the start of the school year this September, 19 new cases have been found amongst staff and students. The HKPR says that these cases were traced back to the community, and have confirmed they were not transmitted through school.

Dr. Bocking reports that 86.7% of our community aged 12 and up have one vaccine, and 82.3% are considered to be fully vaccinated.

The health unit is waiting for provincial approval regarding vaccine roll-out for kids aged five to eleven, and a third dose for those who are eligible.