Rockland Partygoers With Coronavirus Not Cooperating: County

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Faced with a spike in new coronavirus cases, county officials on Wednesday issued subpoenas to eight people who attended a large party in Clarkstown and were infected with the virus. The eight are refusing to cooperate with health investigators, officials said.

"I will say now to anyone and everyone impeding this investigation ... I don't care who you are, who you know, how much money you make, where you live," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day at a news conference Wednesday. "I will not allow the health of our county to be compromised because of ignorance, stupidity or obstinance."

The host of the party was sick and knew it, said Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Ruppert. However, since the host and seven others tested positive for the virus, people who were infected or exposed have said they don't wish to talk to or don't have to talk to the contact tracers and have refused to answer repeated phone calls, she said.

The sick people also violated isolation and quarantine orders, county officials said. Now, investigators will be checking up with the people and they will be fined $2,000 each time they violate quarantine, according to Day.

In some cases, the parents of young people who attended the party have been complicit in obstructing the investigation, officials said. One 20-something supposed to be in isolation after testing positive was known to have disobeyed the rule, but the parents told investigators their child had stayed home consistently, she said.

Health officials reminded listeners of Rockland's measles outbreak, which lasted 11 months in 2018-19 and which was worsened by people not cooperating with health officials.

Health officials urged people with connections to the Clarkstown party outbreak to come forward.

Moreover, Dr. Ruppert said, officials have heard that some of the people in this cluster of cases are planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with a big party.

"Not only is this a violation of the isolation and quarantine that is required, but it is a serious risk to friends and family," she said.

Day said he talked to Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann to ensure police will respond to any location of a holiday party.

Rockland was hard hit by the new coronavirus outbreak. A total of 13,602 people have tested positive for the virus since March, for an infection rate of 17.4 percent, according to the most recent data. So far, 506 Rockland residents have died from COVID-19.

Young adults in Clarkstown aren't the only Hudson Valley residents connected to a new spike in coronavirus cases to be defying protocols. Hundreds of northern Westchester residents were exposed to the virus over high school graduation weekend in Chappaqua after local and county officials urged them to follow social distancing rules. Nearby, the chief of the New Castle Police Department said some officers would have to be dedicated to enforcement of social distancing rules to contain potential spread.

SEE:

• Chappaqua Outbreak Includes Pleasantville Students
• Residents Flouting Pandemic Rules Called 'Arrogant' And 'Selfish'
• Coronavirus Spike: Positive Cases From Graduation Increase