ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Deputy Health Director Robert Sproul had hoped COVID-19 cases would begin to decline this week, but people are failing to comply with recommendations to help stop its spread.

The county has been coping with continually rising cases and strict mandates from the state. Several area schools have either resumed in-person classes, switched to remote learning or are using a hybrid model of remote learning and in-person education.

Following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s order last week specifying tighter penalties for retailers who neglect to enforce masking orders, Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes signed an order Monday to officially limit social gatherings to no more than 10 people.

“Despite the health order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people that was signed in April remaining in effect, we have seen rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals,” DeWine said in a broadcast last week. “We have seen great tragedy associated with such events. It’s not the ceremonies causing the problem. It’s the party afterward.”

No socializing, dancing or other activities are permitted in congregate areas, and guests must be seated at all times.

A decision on whether fitness centers and bars must close will depend on whether new cases continue to turn up.

Meanwhile, Ohio University Eastern will be hosting a free COVID-19 testing at the parking lot 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drivers must exit off of U.S. 40. The health department is conducting the test in cooperation with the Ohio National Guard. The area had three successive Saturday testings earlier this fall.

“We’re getting a lot of complaints,” he said in a text.

He reported there has been a total of 1,574 people infected with the virus since the onset of the pandemic, with 725 people isolated with active cases. On the positive side, the number of recoveries has also increased to 807. There are 12 people hospitalized with the coronavirus, and 28 people have died after infection, including nine inmates at the Belmont Correctional Institution.

During summer, the prison accounted for a significant early spike in numbers as the virus spread. Recently, there have been reports of another positive case in the prison. Sproul said the inmate was transferred to a Noble County facility but his address was still listed as Belmont County.

Union Local School District is operating by remote until Nov. 24. Extracurricular activities are postponed Until Nov. 28 for reassessment.

Bridgeport School District had plans to resume full-time learning this week. Shadyside School District will hold remote learning until after Thanksgiving with the hope of returning to in-person classes the week of Nov. 30.

Barnesville Exempted School District is holding a hybrid model, while Martins Ferry City School District plans to reopen to in-person learning Nov. 30. St. Clairsville-Richland City School District also hopes to resume classes after Thanksgiving.

St. Mary’s in St. Clairsville intended to resume in-person learning this week. East Richland Christian School has also been holding classes online.