Healthy Halloween Walk canceled this year

Henry County Public Health will not hold the annual Healthy Halloween Walk this year due to rising COVID-19 cases and concerns for unvaccinated children.

The family-friendly event has been held every October at East Lake Park since 2013.

In 2020, the event was planned, but later canceled due to bad weather and rising COVID-19 cases.

“We had hoped to use all of the no-contact plans and increased safety measures we had ready for last year at this year’s event, but the difference this year is that children are getting sick from the delta variant,” Community Outreach Coordinator Kelly Carr said. “With only about half of our residents vaccinated, we just couldn’t put on an event that could put those kids at risk.”

Public Health urges all eligible residents to get vaccinated. All authorized COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. Protecting yourself protects those around you, especially those who are at an increase risk or those that cant get vaccinated.

Henry County Public Health offers the Moderna and J & J vaccine on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at its office at 106 N. Jackson St. in Mt. Pleasant.

There is no cost or insurance needed. COVID-19 at-home test kits are available by appointment only.

Call 319-385-0779 with questions or to request a test kit. Visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid for more information about COVID-19.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com