New Jersey Suspects Young Partygoers Led to Spike in COVID-19 Cases

The New York Times reports New Jersey elected leaders and public health officials have grown concerned about the state’s rise in coronavirus cases in recent weeks. 

Last week, New Jersey recorded its lowest seven-day average of new coronavirus cases (224) since early April. That average has risen to 416 new cases every day, which represents a 28 percent increase. Gov. Phil Murphy believes the state’s young residents are to blame for this setback in progress. 

The accusation isn’t without some factual evidence. A party in Long Beach Island yielded 35 cases, a graduation party resulted in 17 cases, and a house party in Middletown led to 65 new cases. Of those 65 people infected with the virus at the Middletown get-together, 52 were between 15 and 19 years old. 

The head of the State Police suspects that New Jersey residents are operating an “underground situation” to combat the continued state-wide shutdown of indoor bars and restaurants. These defiant measures are more than likely being carried out without any social distancing and/or face covering considerations. 

While New Jersey remains one of the few states that have successfully flattened the curve, and continued to keep their numbers down, Murphy isn’t taking these new findings lightly, especially when looking back at all the progress that has been made up to this point. “Over the past four months, we have crushed the curve,” he said. “But folks, this is sobering.”