GROWING PROBLEM

Officials Confirm First Coronavirus Case in Massachusetts, Eighth in U.S.

The young man had recently returned to Boston after traveling to Wuhan, China.

Massachusetts officials on Saturday confirmed the state’s first case of coronavirus on Saturday and the eighth case nationwide, NBC Boston reported.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said a man in his 20s who recently traveled to Wuhan, China—considered the epicenter of the new virus—sought medical attention after he returned back to Boston and has been isolated since. The man’s “few close contacts” are currently being monitored for symptoms, and he will stay in isolation until he is cleared by public health officials.

“We are grateful that this young man is recovering and sought medical attention immediately,” Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner, Monica Bharel, said in a statement. In an email obtained by The Daily Beast, UMass Boston Interim Chancellor Katherine Newman wrote to students that a “member of the UMass Boston community” tested positive for the virus. “State and city public health authorities have informed us that the risk to members of our community is low,” Newman wrote. “For these reasons, we expect ‘business as usual’ on campus.”

This comes after federal officials declared a public health emergency over coronavirus fears, and California officials previously confirmed the seventh U.S. case on Friday.