CANFIELD — Community leaders in Canfield are urging residents to use caution to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“This can be stopped,” said Mayor Richard Duffett, during the first meeting of the COVID Defense Task Force on Friday morning.

A group including American Legion members, city officials and educators from school districts located within Canfield met at the gazebo on the green.

Duffett told the group that a recent spike in COVID-19 cases could be caused by a relaxation in fighting the spread.

“In my opinion, we were doing pretty good collectively” and then along the way, people in Mahoning County have become relaxed in their approach, Duffett said. “It’s insidious. It’s sneaky,” he said of the virus.

Following the suggestion of Gov. Mike DeWine, Duffett called on the leaders to meet routinely to discuss tactics that do or don’t work.

Noting that Canfield is in the center of the county, Duffett said the area could be a hot zone as people pass through, using businesses in the city.

Traci Hostetler, superintendent of the Mahoning County Educational Service Center, took time at the podium to express to people watching from home to use caution during the holiday season.

While MCESC doesn’t have an outbreak of virus cases like communities are experiencing, Hostetler said numbers are going up.

“We’re starting to see some increases that we are pretty certain are a result of Halloween,” she said.

To slow or stop the spread, Hostetler said foot traffic through the building is one-way through hallways and stairwells, social distance is maintained and congregational seating has been removed.

Families should consider smaller gatherings this year for the upcoming holidays, Hostetler said, which can be done by keeping parties to immediate family.

Before the meeting, Hostetler said that people should go back to using guidelines established to thwart the spread of COVID-19.

The increase in numbers could lead to a repeat of the spring, she said.

“I just urge people… every time they don’t social distance, wear a mask, or follow guidelines, they increase the likelihood schools will become ‘super spreaders’ and we will have to shut down,” she said.

Should schools begin to shut down, it will impact parents’ ability to work, Hostetler said.

By everyone following guidelines established by health departments, schools will stay open and places of employment won’t be impacted by people missing work, she said.

“We’re a system,” she said.

The next meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at the gazebo in Canfield, weather permitting.

Duffett said that to ensure safety, the community should refrain from attending, and instead watch a live stream through the Canfield Police Department’s Facebook page.

afox@tribtoday.com