Massachusetts has a 3rd positive virus test, officials say

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts health officials confirmed Thursday the state’s third positive test for the coronavirus that has stymied global travel, sickened nearly 100,000 people and killed thousands.

The state’s latest case involves a Middlesex County woman in her 60s who recently traveled to northern Italy, the state Department of Public Health said in a statement.

She had symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, but did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home, according to the health department.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will assess her test to confirm it.

“We appreciate this patient’s cooperation,” Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said. “While the risk to Massachusetts remains low, residents should make sure they and their families are well-informed about COVID-19 and heed the CDC’s updated international travel health alert.”

Gov. Charlie Baker and other state officials said Wednesday that all residents returning from China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea will be required to self-quarantine as part of new travel directives from the federal government.

State officials have launched an aggressive plan to regularly disinfect the state transit system and are calling on colleges and high schools to cancel study abroad programs as more than 700 residents have been quarantined amid the global spread of the virus.

Of those quarantined, 470 people have completed monitoring and 249 remain in isolation, according to the health department.

The state’s first confirmed case came at the beginning of February, when a male student at the University of Massachusetts Boston who had traveled to Wuhan, China, sought medical care after his return from the virus’ epicenter.

The second case was confirmed earlier this week in a woman in her 20s who had recently traveled to Italy with a school group. She lives in Norfolk County, where she is recovering at home.

Baker said earlier in the week that officials are weighing whether to cancel or alter major public events in the state, including Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Boston Marathon.

Seafood Expo North America, the largest seafood expo in North America, announced Tuesday it was postponing the event, which had been slated for later this month in Boston.