Officials in Rockland County, New York, say they will have no choice but to issue subpoenas to get people to talk to contact tracers trying to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Local NBC affiliate NYC Channel 4 reports that health officials are looking into at least eight COVID-19 cases in the county that likely are the result of a large party held earlier this month.
But the county is running into a problem: people are not cooperating with contact tracers.
In order to force people to speak to contact tracers, the county says it plans to issue subpoenas. It won’t be the first time, either. Rockland County issued subpoenas during a measles outbreak several years ago.
If the subpoenas are issued, it will be the first time in the tri-state area that this type of action will be taken to force compliance in tracking COVID-19.
The party that is likely responsible for the outbreak was one of three held in the county over the last two weeks, according to county officials.
The party took place on June 13 and was hosted by someone who was sick with coronavirus. Sources say the host knew they had virus symptoms but held the party anyway. Officials say partygoers are not cooperating with contact tracers who are trying to contain any further spread.
Rockland County reported the highest percentage of daily positive tests at 1.2% on Wednesday out of all seven counties in New York's Mid-Hudson region. Health officials say they are worried the number will spike if they can’t conduct successful contact tracing to prevent the virus from spreading.
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