City health officials announce five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19

The Boston Public Health Commission today announced five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed or presumptive cases in Boston residents to 9. These cases include one woman in her 30s, one woman in her 60s, one man in his 40s, one man in his 50s and one man in his 60s. They did not require hospitalization and are self-isolating at home. All five cases had a direct connection to the Biogen employee conference at the end of February.

The State Public Health Lab’s result is considered presumptive positive and the specimens will now be sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation. 

There is currently no evidence of community transmission in Boston. The risk remains low, but this situation is evolving rapidly and changes day to day.  

The state of Massachusetts is updating information about COVID-19 cases and residents subject to quarantine in Massachusetts. Visit the MDPH webpage on COVID-19 quarantine and monitoring in the Commonwealth. The CDC is tracking confirmed cases across the United States. For the latest on case counts, visit the CDC's website on COVID-19. 

People are advised to take many of the same steps they do to help prevent colds and the flu, including:

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes and face.
• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Stay home when feeling sick.
• Get a flu shot.

Since January, the Boston Public Health Commission and Boston EMS have taken extensive steps to prepare for a potential outbreak of COVID-19. BPHC and Boston EMS is engaging in daily communications with the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Boston EMS, City of Boston departments and other community partners, including hospitals, schools and public safety to make sure we have the latest information on guidance, best practices and recommendations. We are confident the City of Boston will be ready for a safe and effective response as the situation develops.

BPHC will continue to provide updated information on bphc.org and boston.gov/coronavirus.

• On February 1, 2020, the City of Boston announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19. A male in his 20s returning from Wuhan, China. He did not require hospitalization and is recovering and self-isolating at home.
• On Friday, March, 6, 2020, BPHC and the Massachusetts Department of Public health announced three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Boston residents. Two females and a male, all in their 40s, did not require hospitalization and are recovering and self-isolating at home.

• The Mayor's Healthline: 617-534-5050 or Toll-Free: 1-800-847-0710
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on COVID-19