UNH fraternity house suspended while university investigates outbreak of at least 11 COVID-19 cases

DURHAM, N.H. — University of New Hampshire students are being cautioned about a possible outbreak of COVID-19 associated with a fraternity house.

People who visited the Theta Chi Fraternity on Strafford Avenue in Durham on Aug. 29 are being asked to quarantine as they may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

“Obviously they weren’t using their common sense,” said Grace Strauch.

So far, 11 people who have been to the fraternity house have contracted COVID-19, according to a release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

“Just hearing 100 people, it’s absurd,” said Jack Moriarty, a UNH freshman. “It’s super sad and kind of frustrating because it feels like UNH is not going to work unless everyone isn’t doing stuff like that.”

The university has suspended the fraternity as they investigate the outbreak. Organizers and all students in attendance face student conduct charges.

In a statement, the president of the university said:

“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.”

Universities across the country started cracking down on large parties ever since the beginning of the fall semester. At Northeastern University in Boston, 11 freshmen students were dismissed for the semester without a reimbursement on their tuition for throwing a party at a hotel room in the city.

In New Hampshire and everywhere else the rules are clear: Don’t hold large gatherings during a pandemic.

While the investigation is ongoing, the university has put a moratorium on any in-person gathering within fraternities and sororities, no matter the size.

[We] all know the rules, no parties, no socials, just the guys that live in the house can be there for the most part, and you just got to keep it the way it is,” said Noah, a UNH senior. “Everyone’s back at school, everyone just wants to get back together see their friends, but they were just doing it the wrong way.”

DHHS provided the following information:

Any individuals who visited Theta Chi Fraternity since the end of August may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should self-observe for illness and seek testing. Guidance for self-observation is available here.

Students who may have been exposed can access testing through the University of New Hampshire. Persons not associated with the university can access testing through multiple testing options available throughout the State here.

For persons without health insurance or a primary care provider, testing is available and can be scheduled by calling (603) 271-5980 or through completing the online form which can be found here.

COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell. Any person who develops new symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, immediately contact their healthcare provider and get tested for COVID-19.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. People can protect themselves and help prevent further infections in our communities by:

Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoiding close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others. This is known as social distancing.
Wearing a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Staying home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information on COVID-19 in NH, please visit https://www.nh.gov/covid19/.

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