Massachusetts Confirms 8th Coronavirus Infection in the USA

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) located in Boston announced the 1st case of the novel coronavirus in Massachusetts.

The DPH and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) were notified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the positive test results late on January 31, 2020.

According to the CDC, this is the 8th case in the USA during 2020 of the novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV.

However, both the CDC and DPH say the ‘risk to the public from the 2019-nCoV remains low to the residents of Massachusetts.’

But, as of February 1, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration has NOT approved antiviral medications to treat or vaccines to prevent the 2019-nCoV.

This patient (man) recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and sought medical care soon after his return to Massachusetts. He has been isolated since that time and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials.

His few close contacts have been identified and are being monitored for any sign of symptoms, says the DPH.

“We are grateful that this young man is recovering and sought medical attention immediately,’’ said Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, M.D., MPH.

DPH and BPHC continue to work closely with the CDC to maintain vigilance during this virus outbreak.

The novel coronavirus has resulted in thousands of confirmed human infections in more than 20 countries, with more than 99 percent of cases in China.

To better inform the USA, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared on January 31st the 2019 novel coronavirus a public health emergency and ordered any US citizens returning from the center of the outbreak in China to be quarantined for two weeks as a precaution.

This followed a declaration Thursday by the World Health Organization that the coronavirus outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Also that day the CDC reported the first case of person-to-person transmission in Illinois between household members.

Among the steps taken by the DPH to reduce virus infection risks are:

• Established an Incident Command Structure to facilitate regular dissemination of information from federal and state partners to statewide stakeholders.
• Launched a new website that provides up-to-date information on the status of novel coronavirus for all residents
• Developed and disseminated clinical advisories to all Massachusetts health care providers and issued guidance to hospitals, health systems, and Emergency Medical Services.
• Scheduled calls with other key health care partners including local boards of health.

Coronaviruses are respiratory viruses and are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person, says the CDC.

Symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, pneumonia (fluid in the lungs).

And, clinicians who see patients with recent travel in China, especially Hubei Province, who have a fever, lower respiratory tract symptoms (such as shortness of breath and cough), and/or contact with a known novel coronavirus patient, should contact DPH 24/7 at (617) 983-6800 for assistance. In Boston, providers should contact BPHC at 617-534-5611.

The new DPH website provides relevant up-to-date information on the state of the novel coronavirus for all residents.

Coronavirus updates are published on Coronavirus Today.