MA Coronavirus Cases Hit 92 As State Of Emergency Declared

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency Tuesday after the number of new coronavirus cases in Massachusetts more than doubled to 92. Health officials also identified the person-to-person transmission of the virus, known as COVID-19, for the first time.

Out of the 92 cases, 70 were traced to a Biogen conference held in Boston in February. The number of cases is expected to increase as testing continues — and Baker said the risk of coronavirus in the state has increased.

"The number of reported cases has seen a significant uptick in the United States and in Massachusetts and our state health officials are closely monitoring and tracing presumptive cases here," Baker said.

>>>What a state of emergency means for you

Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said officials have started to identify the community spread of the virus, specifically in Berkshire County. Some 400 people have been tested in the state, Bharel said.

The state of emergency would allow the state some flexibility in attacking the virus, Baker said. It's the first state of emergency in Massachusetts since the Merrimack Valley gas explosions.

There are 41 coronavirus cases in Middlesex County, 22 in Norfolk County, 20 in Suffolk County, seven in Berkshire County, one in Essex County and one in Worcester County. Fifty-two of the positive cases are men and 40 are women.

Baker urged schools to cancel all out-of-state travel. He also said no schools will need to be in session for more than 185 days this school year, and that no students would be punished for missing school after March 2. All schools will finish by June 30.

Baker also said state employees should work from home if possible, and that private employers should allow the same.

"There's no question that the efforts to mitigate the spread of this virus will be disruptive," Baker said.

No decision has been made on whether to postpone or cancel the Boston Marathon, but Baker said large gatherings "probably aren't a good idea."

"I fully expect a decision to be made soon," he said.

The following is the latest on the coronavirus and its impact on Massachusetts. This story will be updated throughout the day. Subscribe to Boston Patch for the latest on the coronavirus, the Boston Marathon and other local happenings. Find your local Patch for more in your city or town.

Preparing for the inevitable

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the Boston Marathon is still scheduled for next month but acknowledged "there are conversations happening" regarding potential postponement or cancellation.

Walsh, who earlier in the morning defended the decision to cancel the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade, made it clear that all actions are on the table in Boston, including schools being closed.

"We're preparing for, unfortunately, what might be the inevitable in the city of Boston," he said.

St. Patrick's Day Parades in Worcester and Lawrence, among other places, have also been canceled.

Harvard, MIT among those moving online

Harvard and MIT are among Massachusetts universities moving their education online for the rest of the semester and asked students not to return to campus after spring break.

"The decision to move to virtual instruction was not made lightly," Harvard President Larry Bacow said in a letter to students Tuesday morning. "The goal of these changes is to minimize the need to gather in large groups and spend prolonged time in close proximity with each other in spaces such as classrooms, dining halls, and residential buildings."

Speaking of Harvard, the Ivy League canceled its men's and women's basketball tournaments.

Aid on its way?

The Legislature will vote next week on a $15 million bill helping communities prepare for and fight coronavirus. The Department of Public Health will be able to disperse the funds as necessary to help prepare for and battle the coronavirus.

MA Dems suspend caucusing

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is suspending caucusing, even as a major battle for the senate heats up between Sen. Ed Markey and Congressman Joe Kennedy. "In light of guidance provided by state officials at this afternoon’s press conference, MDP is temporarily suspending all caucuses scheduled to take place," Chair Gus Bickford said.

Norwood town manager has coronavirus

Tony Mazzucco was one of 11 town officials who may have been exposed to the coronavirus during a party. Mazzucco was diagnosed with the virus and volunteered that his information be made public.

State of emergency in Rhode Island

Rhode Island on Monday became the latest neighboring state to issue a state of emergency over coronavirus. New York and Connecticut already issued a state of emergency.

MBTA cancels meetings

The MBTA announced it will cancel three public meetings scheduled for Tuesday evening "out of an abundance of caution." The meetings are the Better Bus Project Open House in Roxbury, the Green Line Extension Public Meeting in Cambridge and the Public Engagement Plan Meeting in Framingham.

Watch out for coronavirus scams

Massachusetts residents should be on the lookout for businesses and individuals running scams and trying to take advantage of uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday. Healey said to watch out for businesses selling fake vaccines, overpriced products, and hackers posing as COVID-19 experts to steal people's information.

Staff Reporter Jenna Fisher contributed to this report. Reporting from the State House News Service was used in this report.