65 New COVID Cases In Middletown, Nearly All In Teens 15-19

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There were 65 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Middletown over the past week, and 52 of them are in young people between the ages of 15 and 19.

The new case numbers were announced Monday by Gov. Phil Murphy in his daily coronavirus briefing (which you can watch below). Also, after Murphy pleaded last week for parents to work with contact tracers following that infamous July 11 Middletown house party, many more parents are now coming forward, Middletown health officials said Monday.

Middletown parents are now being much more responsive.

"We have received a large response from parents who weren't aware of the situation and thankful that they could address it with their kids and ensure they get tested/quarantine," said Middletown Health Department Director Rich DeBenedetto in a statement Monday.

"We appreciate the public's overwhelming response and we thank them for it," said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry.

Dozens of young people were exposed to coronavirus at a July 11 house party on West Front Street in Middletown. About 20 teens tested positive for the coronavirus after the party, said health officials.

The "Middletown COVID house party" has now attracted some degree of infamy nationwide, with even CNN reporting on the story.

Several Middletown residents have written in to Patch, saying that some teens are being bullied online for attending the house party, with some on social media outing the names of local teens who were there.

Other teens defended themselves online with comments such as: "Gotta give credit where credit is due. Shawtys went CRAZY. Way to go out with a bang."

And: "Listen up, that party was litty litty."

At first, Middletown health officials said teens and their parents were "less than satisfactory" in their cooperation with contact tracers.

Murphy then weighed in Thursday, saying, "This isn't a witch hunt. 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."

"We must take all precautions to limit the spread of this virus," state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said at Monday's news conference. "Although they don't experience what we would call severe illness as often, young people can still transmit COVID-19 to those that they love. We need them to take this public health threat seriously."

Murphy pleaded Monday for parents and children to keep their gatherings outdoors and wear face masks.

He was not just speaking about Middletown when he said: "We don't condone underage drinking or anything illegal, but my comments right now are not related to that. Don't congregate indoors. I know it's hot, but the good news is that it's hot. You can do this outside. If you're gonna have a group over, gather in your backyard. It is literally irresponsible. You are playing with fire if you gather indoors without face coverings."

Initial Patch report: Murphy On Middletown COVID Party: Work With Contact Tracers (July 22)

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