State Confirms First Massachusetts Coronavirus Case

BOSTON, MA — A Boston man in his twenties returning from Wuhan, China has tested positive for the he 2019 novel coronavirus, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is the state's first confirmed case of the virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the department and the Boston Public Health Commission about the positive test Friday night. It is the eighth case of coronavirus confirmed in the U.S.

Officials said the man is a University of Massachusetts at Boston student who has been isolated since he sought medical care soon after returning to Massachusetts from a trip to Wuhan. His close contacts are being monitored for symptoms of the virus.

Officials said the risk of catching the virus in Massachusetts remains low.

"We are grateful that this young man is recovering and sought medical attention immediately," said Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD. MPH. "Massachusetts has been preparing for a possible case of this new coronavirus, and we were fortunate that astute clinicians took appropriate action quickly. Again, the risk to the public from the 2019 novel coronavirus remains low in Massachusetts."

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More than 7,000 cases of 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus have been identified in 20 countries, with 99 percent of those cases in China. Hundreds of other people with symptoms are being tested.

"Our priority is not only to protect and inform the residents of Boston but also to help this man continue to recover. We are pleased that he is doing well," said BPHC Executive Director Rita Nieves. "Right now, we are not asking Boston residents to do anything differently. The risk to the general public remains low. And we continue to be confident we are in a good position to respond to this developing situation."