Halloween Guidance COVID-19

Trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating are mainstays of Halloween celebrations in our community and children look forward to trick-or-treating all year.  However, these events make it really difficult to social distance between individuals from different households.  Unfortunately, this treasured day must look different this year.

Here are some suggestions.

For those wishing to pass out candy:

• Leave individually wrapped candy on the front porch or sidewalk with the pieces spread out to limit interaction with trick-or-treaters. Set up the treat station at least 6 feet from your front door.  Remember that children frequently show mild symptoms when they are infected with COVID.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before placing the candy on the table and when refilling.
• Wear proper face mask. A costume mask, such as those worn for Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering.  If face coverings are worn under costume mask, please ensure this does not create breathing problems, and if so, discard the costume mask.

For those wishing to trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat,

• Wear a real face mask for the same reasons just mentioned.
• Trick-or-treat with members of your household only.
• Limit the number of houses/trunks you visit.
• Do not crowd at a door; give yourself space between other groups.
• Stay local. Avoid the urge to attend events in other towns.
• Use hand sanitizer before eating any candy and as needed.

A few other fall activities are considered high risk as well:

• In-person Halloween parties held indoors.
• Indoor haunted housed because people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Corn mazes where individuals take part in groups, often with members of different households.
• Hayrack rides that mix members from different households. In Illinois, these rides are allowed at 50 percent capacity.

In Illinois, haunted houses may be allowed in some cities with enhanced safety and cleaning procedures in place.  We at the health department have reviewed a few plans and have offered safety suggestions.  There never is a zero risk in any activity right now, but all partners have worked to improve safety.

Children aren’t the only ones who look forward to Halloween.  We offer suggestions for adult social gatherings:

• Large gatherings with more people are considered higher risk than smaller group gatherings.
• Indoor parties or gatherings should include social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing.
• The more time you spend at a gathering, the closer the contact, the more people, the higher your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Walk-in Flu clinics offered in October and November

Please bring the below flu shot consent forms FILLED OUT 

Adult Flu Shot Consent Form      Child Flu Shot Consent Form     Flu Vaccine Information Statement

RICHD will offer walk-in flu vaccination clinics inside the health department, 2112 25^th Ave., Rock Island. The clinics are 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27 and Nov. 10. Masks and social distancing requirements will be enforced.

At all RICHD flu shot clinics, there is no out-of-pocket expense to those with Medicare Part B or an Illinois Medicaid card. Most Blue Cross, UnitedHealth Care, Health Alliance, Aetna, Coventry/First Health, HFN, HealthLink, and Humana insurance plans are accepted. Please bring all insurance cards with you to the walk-in clinics. Insurance coverages change frequently, so please check with your insurance carrier to make sure your flu shot is covered. For those not using insurance, the cost is $35. High-dose vaccines for seniors are $55 without insurance. Visa and Mastercard will be accepted. For more information, please call the health department at 309-794-7080.

For additional information related to COVID-19, visit www.dph.illinois.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at any time at 800-889-3931.

For County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics, visit www.dph.illinois.gov/countymetrics

If you were tested at the QCCA Expo Center or TaxSlayer Center test site, you can get results by:

Total number of positive COVID-19 cases reported to Rock Island County Health Department:    3,837**    Deaths:  97

**Numbers will be reported daily.

HOW DO MASKS HELP (Click to read)?

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in coordination with the Illinois Poison Control Center have launched the Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and email address to answer questions clinicians and the general public may have regarding  COVID-19.

Illinoisans can dial 1-800-889-3931 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV to get their questions answered.

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-20-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-19-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-18-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-17-20

COIVD-19 Media Briefing 10-16-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-15-20

QC COVID-19 Coalition Media Briefing 10-15-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-14-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-13-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-12-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-11-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-10-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 10-9-20

What is COVID-19? Guidance for Work Crews (Migrant Farm Workers -English)

Que es COVID-19? Guidance for Work Crews (Migrant Farm Workers – Spanish)

Quad City Behavioral Health Coalition COVID-19 Service List

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE 5-4-20

COVID-19 FAQs                                          COVID-19 media Briefing 3-17-20

IDPH COVID-19 webpage                             CDC COVID-19 webpage

Governor Pritzker’s Proclamation for bars and restaurants.

County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics

Other important news from the WIC office:  WIC is not affected by recent Federal public benefit policy.  Click here for more information:  WICpublicchargeFAQ013120

About the Rock Island County Health Department

The mission of the Rock Island County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote wellness, and protect public health. To learn more visit or call us at 309-793-1955.