COVID-19 has not died down in Utah since the state experienced a spike in cases due to the highly contagious Delta variant that swept across the country in early September. With the holiday season fast approaching and Halloween only one week away, health experts warn of another spike in cases.
The first big test will come during next weekend’s Halloween festivities. Park City is planning a celebration on Main Street that Sunday.
Intermountain Healthcare Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Eddie Stenehjem says the good news is we already know what helps stop the spread of COVID-19: vaccinations, masking, and social distancing.
He says if you are planning on celebrating next week, try to avoid large indoor gatherings.
“If you are gathering, if you are getting together in close quarters, masking is incredibly appropriate still, and we highly encourage people to mask," he says. "We highly encourage people to not congregate in really dense indoor settings, especially when you have people who are at high risk due to to age or due to complicating medical conditions. We know Halloween, we had a significant increase in infections last year after Halloween when we had some pretty significant gatherings, particularly in the younger age group, but fortunately, Halloween is pretty much outside.”
Stenehjem added that it’s gatherings before families go out to trick-or-treat that worry him.
Halloween in Park City will be celebrated on Sunday the 31st. More information on the city’s Halloween plans can be found here.
