NJ: 69 Percent Of Residents Don’t Cooperate With Contact Tracers

NEW JERSEY - When contacted by one of nearly 3,000 tracers working in the state, nearly 70 percent of New Jersey residents refuse to cooperate, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

At a Nov. 30 afternoon news conference, the governor announced that 69 percent of individuals contacted as part of tracing efforts refused to provide contacts. 20 percent of individuals did not “take the call”.

Two percent of contacts refused to participate at all, according to the governor.

“Please take the call, please cooperate with them,” Murphy said. “I can't say it enough - there is no witch hunt. Our contact tracers are not out to snitch on anyone. Their sole focus is making sure that you know you’ve been exposed so you can take the steps to protect yourselves or your loved ones or your community. Period.”

Contact Tracing Update:

We now have approximately 3,000 contact tracers on the ground.

Nearly 70% of individuals refuse to cooperate with our contact tracers.

This is not a witch hunt. This is about protecting you, your loved ones, and your community.

Take the call. pic.twitter.com/1bSzYzgdez
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 30, 2020

The remarks came during a Monday afternoon announcement that all indoor high school and youth sports will be banned until Jan. 2 and the maximum number of people who can gather outside will be limited to 25. Read more: Gov. Murphy Limits Outdoor Gatherings To 25; Halts Indoor Sports

"We do not take this step lightly. I am a huge sports fan and all of our kids play sports. I hope and intend to see the winter sports season in January," said the governor. "But we are seeing outbreaks related to indoor sports and this a prudent, short-term step to slow the spread."

As of Monday morning, the state reported an additional 15 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, making the total statewide death toll 15,164.

New Jersey has had some of its highest daily coronavirus case numbers in November — higher than they were in the spring — and hospitalizations have risen past 2,000, more than 10 times than the numbers recorded three months ago.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has said many people who have been infected or exposed to COVID-19 prefer to inform their contacts personally instead of sharing their information with a contact tracer.

"While that may seem like a nice gesture or a personal touch, it's hindering the overall contact tracing effort," she said last month.

Contact tracers provide expert information on how to protect people infected or exposed to the virus, and they help connect people to vital information and provide them with a safe place to isolate.

"Please help these professionals do their job and better protect New Jersey and give them the information they need on the individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19," she said.
Murphy also urged people to download the state's contact tracing app: