Murphy On Middletown COVID Party: Work With Contact Tracers

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy has now weighed in on the July 11 Middletown house party, where as many as 20 young adults have tested positive for coronavirus and are being "less than satisfactory" with contact tracers, according to health officials.

A reporter asked Murphy about the party Thursday at a press conference in Long Branch.

The message from the governor? In a nutshell: Please do not be scared your teen will be prosecuted for underage drinking, and please cooperate with contact tracers if they call you.

“It was in Middletown, which is the community I live in," said Gov. Murphy Thursday. "And I was actually on the phone today with Mayor Tony Perry, who's a good friend, and he was going through in his estimation exactly what happened ... The good news is: It does not appear anyone is in the hospital. The range of ages is all teens. And as far as Tony's health department is concerned, or knows ... they're all self-quarantining."

"The more challenging news is ... The contact tracing has hit somewhat of a brick wall ... We don’t condone illegal behavior, so I’m not wild about 15 years (old), or whatever, drinking alcohol, on the one hand, okay, so please don’t break the law. Period. But on the other hand, this isn’t a witch hunt,” said the governor. “This is a public health pursuit that the contact tracing corps is after.”

“These folks are trying to do good and trying to contain a public health crisis unlike any that we’ve ever had before, so I’d ask folks, please cooperate with those contact tracers,” said Murphy.

The Middletown Health Department announced Wednesday night it is investigating a cluster of about 20 coronavirus cases in local young adults ages 15 to 19. The cases may be related to a house party that reportedly occurred on or about July 11 on West Front Street in Middletown, the health department said in an online statement.

Middletown health officials said they are trying to do contact tracing after the party, however: "Unfortunately, responsiveness has been less than satisfactory, with many refusing to answer our questions. It is imperative that everyone cooperate in this potentially serious matter as we continue to fight this virus."

According to Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, public health contact tracers have been in place for decades in Monmouth County, well before coronavirus, trying to determine who was exposed to chicken pox, rabies or other contagious disease.

"We encourage you to have your child tested for COVID-19," said the Middletown health department.

See the governor speaking on the Middletown house party; go to minute 40 to watch his remarks on Middletown:

Anyone who thinks their child may have attended such a party, or whose child participates in sports or any other group activity that may have included anyone potentially exposed, should ask them to self-quarantine for 14 days to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

If they become ill, they should self-isolate and contact their family physician.

Anyone who has questions or concerns should contact the health department at 732-615-2000, ext. 2165, or email questions to covid19@middletownnj.org. People can also visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information and resources.

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