Party At UNH Frat Leads To New Coronavirus Outbreak

CONCORD, NH — State health officials confirmed a potential outbreak of COVID-19 at a university frat in Durham.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Service said it was investigating the outbreak after 11 people contracted COVID-19 at the Theta Chi Fraternity on Strafford Avenue in Durham.

According to a statement from James Dean Jr., the president of the university, the outbreak was due to a party on Aug. 29 where more than 100 people attended, both students and non-students.

"The August 29 party is reprehensible and will not be tolerated," Dean said. "As soon as we heard of this party at Theta Chi, we started an investigation with the Interfraternity Council. We will be pursuing student conduct charges against the organizers and all students who attended the event."

The frat is under "interim suspension" and any other student organization "that behaves in a similar manner, while we conduct the investigation," will also be banned, he said. Dean also placed a moratorium on all in-person gatherings of any size at student groups.

"Let me be clear: this is reckless behavior and the kind of behavior that undermines our planning and will lead to us switching to a fully remote mode," he said. "We have repeatedly asked all members of our community to practice and adhere to public health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID (mask wearing, social distancing, no large gatherings, etc.) and I’ve been pleased that the overwhelming majority of you are following these guidelines."

The outbreak in Durham, presumed to be connected to the university but something that unable to be determined at the time, was first reported on Patch Saturday.

State officials are requesting anyone at the party to "self-observe for illness and seek testing."

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Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• When you can't practice 6 feet of social distancing, wear a face covering.
• Anyone who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic and underlying health conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers should work from home as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that the virus can survive for hours or possibly days on surfaces. People should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places.
• Wear a face covering.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 Interactive Map Dashboard, click on this link here.

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