MA Coronavirus: 38 New Cases, 2,000 Have Been Quarantined

The number of positive cases of the new coronavirus in Massachusetts was at 256 as of late Wednesday afternoon, an increase of 38 cases from the previous day. Twenty-seven of the cases overall have required hospitalization.

The actual number of COVID-19 cases is thought to be significantly higher, but testing is still being expanded.

More than 2,000 people have been placed under some from of quarantine, public health officials said.

Ninety-seven of the 256 cases are people who attended the Feburary Biogen conference in Boston or their immediate household contacts.

Middlesex County has been the most affected county with 100 cases, while Suffolk County has 51 and Norfolk County 45.

Among the positive tests is an employee in the House of Representatives, the State House News Service reported. House Speaker Robert DeLeo's office did not identify who the person was or whether that person is an elected official, citing privacy laws. The person worked in the building until leaving sick Thursday.

'Social distancing is a must'

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made another plea for people to stay away from one another as the number of cases in his city climbed to 45.

"Social distancing is a must," Walsh told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
Walsh also attempted to put to rest rumors of an impending shelter-in-place order, saying there are no plans for such a measure — though he acknowledged conversations could change as the situation changes.

"Tomorrow if I'm standing here and if the curve looks different we might have a very different conversation," Walsh said.

Unemployment claims spike

There were nearly 20,000 new unemployment claims Monday in Massachusetts, a total that eclipsed all claims made in February as the the spread of the new coronavirus strengthened its grip on the state economy.

The flood of claims came one day after Gov. Charlie Baker's order that restaurants and bars become takeout- and delivery-only, a staggering measure that essentially sacrificed a large chunk of the state economy to stem the spread of COVID-19.

In February, there were 17,283 claims, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

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Daycares closed

All early education centers and daycares in Massachusetts will close starting Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker said. The state will start identifying sectors, such as health care, where emergency child care may be provided.

Malls go dark

Simon Properties is closing all of its shopping centers in the U.S. in an effort to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. In Massachusetts, that means Auburn Mall, Burlington Mall, Cape Cod Mall, Copley Place, Emerald Square, Lee Premium Outlets, Liberty Tree Mall, North Shore Mall, Solomon Pond Mall, South Shore Plaza, Square One Mall, The Shops at Chestnut Hill and the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.

Alex Newman and Dave Copeland contributed to this report