Won’t Talk To Contact Tracers? There’s A Subpoena For That

Officials are resorting to subpoenas to compel people in Rockland County to cooperate with contact tracers as they probe a new virus cluster

Sources tell News 4 they’re aware of at least three large parties in Rockland in recent weeks; one was held by someone with COVID June 13

The state Department of Health is also investigating a separate possible cluster in Westchester County linked to a drive-in graduation ceremony

Health officials are investigating a new cluster of eight or more COVID-19 cases in Rockland County tied to a large party earlier this month, but they’re running into trouble with contact tracing because people refuse to cooperate.

The county plans to resort to subpoenas, as it did during its measles outbreak some years ago, to compel people to work with contact tracers as they work to contain a new potential outbreak. It may mark the first time in the tri-state area that such a measure has been taken over COVID contact tracing noncompliance.

That party linked to the new potential cluster was the first of three large parties in Rockland County in the last two weeks. It was hosted June 13 by someone in New City who was sick with coronavirus at the time, sources say. County officials said Wednesday that the host knew they were symptomatic and held the party anyway.

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