- Twenty teens between the ages of 15 and 19 tested positive for coronavirus in Middletown, New Jersey.
- Health officials say the group dates back to a house party that was held on July 11.
- State authorities say the teens and some of their parents refuse to cooperate with contract trackers, and some children fear they may get into trouble from underage drinking.
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A new group of coronavirus cases in Middletown, New Jersey, dates back to a high school party, and the teens who attended and their parents have not cooperated with contact trackers, according to reports.
Health authorities say 20 young people, between the ages of 15 and 19, have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days, according to ABC 7 New York.
They believe these cases are related to a house party that took place in the city on July 11.
However, contact trackers have been struggling to identify everyone who may have been exposed at the party.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry says the teens have refused to cooperate with contact trackers, for fear of getting into trouble from underage drinking.
“People think they are criticizing people or what they have. It is nothing like that,” Perry told WCBS. “You are not something like that. You are not getting anyone into trouble. This is just about avoiding further spread and a greater chance of COVID-19 exposures.”
An official also told NJ Advance Media that some of the teens’ parents are also not cooperating, also citing concerns that their children will get into trouble from drinking.
The group has gained so much attention that even the governor intervened.
“We don’t tolerate illegal behavior, so I’m not crazy about 15 [year olds] or whatever, drinking alcohol on the one hand is fine, so please don’t break the law. Period, “Governor Phil Murphy said at a press conference Thursday.
“But then again, this is not a witch hunt. This is a public health search that the contact tracing body is looking for.”
Middletown health officials are asking anyone who attended the party to quarantine for 14 days and monitor for signs and symptoms of the disease.
“If they get sick, they should isolate themselves and contact their family doctor. We encourage you to have your child screened for COVID-19,” the Middletown health department said in a statement, according to ABC 7 New York.
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