231 being monitored in Massachusetts for coronavirus

In a conference call this afternoon, Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel issued an update on coronavirus COVID-19 in the state.

According to Bharel, over 600 have been quarantined for the virus overall in Massachusetts, with 231 left currently under self quarantine at home. 377 were monitored and were determined to have no symptoms.

As of February 26th, there has been one confirmed case of this novel coronavirus in Massachusetts.

The risk to residents in Massachusetts remains low.

As of February 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that the United States has seen 53 confirmed cases.

While person-to-person spread among close contacts has been detected with this virus, at this time this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States, according to MDPH. The CDC stated yesterday, however, that it is just a matter of time before the virus begins to spread across the country.

The novel coronavirus has resulted in thousands of confirmed human infections, primarily in China, with a small proportion of cases resulting in death. Other countries, including the United States, have identified a small but growing number of cases in people who have traveled to China.

Symptoms of this respiratory lung infection include:

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

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is working closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).