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The number of coronavirus cases tied to a Labor Day party attended by Chatham High School students has jumped to nearly 30, officials said.

Officials say there are at least eight confirmed cases tied to the party in Chatham Borough, their health official said. Another 21 cases have been confirmed in Chatham Township in the past six days, Township Mayor Michael Kelly said.

None of the cases were transmitted within the school, officials said previously.

It was just a matter of time before a party caused an outbreak in the Chathams, Borough Mayor Thaddeus J. Kobylarz told NJ Advance Media in a Wednesday afternoon phone call.

Parties had been happening all summer, ramping up as Labor Day and the start of school approached, he said, before a Sept. 6 party sparked an outbreak amongst high schoolers just days before the school reopening for the first time since March.

It was COVID-19 roulette, said Kobylarz. It was just this party where the flare up happened.

The party forced the high school to switch to virtual classes until Sept. 29 after only two days in session, and caused youth sports in Chatham Borough and Township to be postponed for a week. (The high school and the recreation department serve students from both municipalities.)

I think the perfect analogy is, we have the hot embers that are still all around us, the last thing we want to do is introduce dry timber, Kobylarz said of teens partying while the coronavirus continues to spread, albeit slowly, throughout the state.

Photos of the Labor Day party, posted to social media and shared with NJ Advance Media, show at least 20 unmasked teens inside a garage in close quarters. That setting made an outbreak all the more likely to occur, Kobylarz said.

The party took place at the home of a person who has worked for the Chatham school district, NJ Advance Media has learned through multiple sources.

Superintendent Dr. Michael LaSusa and local union leaders did not respond to questions about the employee.

No charges have been filed as a result of the party, a police spokesperson told NJ Advance Media.

Obviously, it was poor judgment on the part of the students. I dont condone this type of behavior, but with children you sort of expect it. It was most egregious and a troubling and poor judgment and a bit selfish on the part of the parents, especially those who may potentially have participated, Chatham Borough Police Chief Brian Gibbons said at a Monday night borough council meeting.

Police are investigating the party, Gibbons said, But I do want to emphasize and I think its most important especially during this pandemic that consistent with Governor Murphy statements that were not looking for a witch hunt in this particular case thatll root out anyone who was drinking under-age.

A party hosted in Gov. Phil Murphys hometown of Middletown earlier this summer caused an outbreak among 50 teens was made worse by a low level of cooperation with contact tracers over underage drinking fears.

Police are urging teens who went to the Chatham party to cooperate with contact tracing efforts to help contain the further spread of the virus.

It is essential that not only you maintain your quarantine as required, but that you provide whatever information you can to (Health Officer for Chatham Borough Megan Avallone), so that she can notify all of the other parents, teachers, staff and others, perhaps friends or family, who may have been affected," Gibbons said.

The party and the resulting school closure has caused controversy and conversation throughout the Chathams, which has included bullying amongst students, a letter sent home to parents said. Under 20,000 people live in the two towns combined.

I understand how frustrating this situation is and how everyone hoped to return to school and get back to what our normal used to be," Chatham High School Principal Darren Groh said in a letter sent home to parents on Sept. 11 and provided to NJ Advance Media.

It is also important that everyone remains respectful of one another so that we are able to maintain a positive, inclusive environment regardless of whether we are connected virtually or in person, he said, adding that any student who is found bullying online will face consequences under the districts harassment, intimidation and bullying policy.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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A summer of COVID-19 roulette partying led to outbreak at Chatham HS, where cases rise to nearly 30 - NJ.com