Cluster Of COVID Cases In Teams At Middletown Sports Complex

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There has been a cluster of 13 COVID-positive cases among youth ice hockey teams that practice at the Middletown Sports Complex, a spokesman for the sports complex confirmed to Patch.

So far, the cases are confined to two youth sports teams that used the ice hockey rink for practice. Since then, the Middletown Sports Complex has closed down the ice rink they were practicing on, and thoroughly cleaned it with UV light, bleach and other cleaning products, said Joe DiMarino, a spokesman for the popular sports facility on Harmony Road.

The Middletown Sports Complex was alerted on Sept. 3 that several players on two youth sports teams had tested positive for the coronavirus. The players were asymptomatic at practice, but felt sick later on, at home, he said.

Both teams and all the coaching staff were tested, and many came back negative.

However, there were thirteen positive test results among the two teams, he said.

The Middletown Sports Complex facility is located at 214 Harmony Road. It has been open for ice hockey and other indoor practices, but is now closed after the outbreak.

"It was contained to the one rink, rink number two," he said. "But we'd rather be safe than sorry, so we closed both rinks down."

All other outdoor events at the Middletown Sports Complex, such as Movies in the Woods and murder mysteries, will remain open and occur as scheduled.

The Middletown Sports Complex also proactively notified the town of Middletown about the outbreak, he said.

Middletown Twp. advise anyone who was in the facility to get tested for COVID-19 as a safety precaution.

The Middletown Health Department is currently doing contact tracing "in an attempt to better track and narrow down the extent of this cluster." If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Health Department at 732-615-2000, ext. 2165 or email questions to [email protected].