University of New Hampshire suspends fraternity after 11 COVID-19 cases linked to party

DURHAM, N.H. — A cluster of novel coronavirus cases has been linked to an Aug. 29 fraternity party at the University of New Hampshire, leading to the “interim suspension” of the host fraternity and an immediate moratorium on all Greek functions on campus until a full investigation is complete, university officials confirmed.

University officials confirmed that more than 100 people attended the Theta Chi party and few wore masks.

“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,” UNH President James W. Dean Jr. said in a prepared statement.

To date, 11 people linked to the party have tested positive for COVID-19, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is asking anyone who spent time at the Strafford Avenue house since the end of August to quarantine, WFXT reported.

According to the health department, anyone who visited the Theta Chi house since that time may have been exposed, and testing can be accessed through the university. Anyone outside the university who suspects they might have been exposed can click here to locate testing resources throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the university has suspended the Theta Chi fraternity on campus and said it would pursue student conduct charges against both the party’s organizers and participants, CNN reported.

“Theta Chi is under interim suspension immediately, as will any fraternity/sorority or other student organization that behaves in a similar manner, while we conduct the investigation. Until the investigation is complete, there is a moratorium on any in-person gatherings of any size within these groups,” Dean stated.

Cox Media Group