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Coronavirus Updates For Western New England: Saturday, March 14

Baystate Health Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, where two dozen patients are said to be in isolation, suspected of having COVID-19.
The Republican / masslive.com/photos
Baystate Health Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, where two dozen patients are said to be in isolation, suspected of having COVID-19.

Final update 11:54 p.m.

The latest numbers from the state of Massachusetts include no reported cases of the new coronavirus in Hampden, Hampshire or Franklin counties. But the state reported 15 more cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 138.

As of Saturday afternoon, the only western Massachusetts cases reported by the state were in Berkshire County. But shortly before 11 p.m., Baystate Health released a statement confirming one at its Springfield hospital.

"We have identified the first COVID-19 patient at Baystate Medical Center and that person is no longer in the hospital and is recovering at home," said CEO Mark Keroack.

The statement added that no additional information would be provided. In an interview Friday with The Republican, Keroack said the hospital had two dozen patients in isolation, suspected of having COVID-19.

In Connecticut, the number of positive cases rose to 20, with one in Hartford County and one in Litchfield County.

In New Hampshire, cases rose slightly to 7. In Vermont, the number doubled to 4 cases. Rhode Island’s cases increased to 20

More cases suspected in Hampshire County

Also Saturday, there was confusion about a series of emails sent out by the superintendent of the Amherst Regional Public Schools, Michael Morris. His initial email, sent Saturday morning, said that "local Boards of Health were notified that a parent/guardian of a student at Amherst Regional High School has been diagnosed as presumptive positive for COVID-19."

Five hours later, Morris emailed again, clarifying that the diagnosis had been "based on symptoms, not on an initial positive COVID-19 test." 

The state's daily report only lists cases that are "presumptive positive" (based on a test done in-state) or "confirmed" by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials expect the number of positive cases to keep rising as testing capabilities expand.

There was similar confusion involving a suspected case of the virus connected to Anne T. Dunphy School in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, according to The Daily Hampshire Gazette. That case, too, is presumed based on symptoms, not a test.

First case in Hartford area

The first case of the new coronavirus in the Hartford area has been identified. Officials say the patient is a woman in her 80s who lives in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and is being treated at Hartford Hospital. Most of the other cases confirmed in the state so far have been in communities near the New York state line.

Efforts to test for the virus around the state are expanding. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said he assumes there are other cases of the virus in the Hartford area.

Mass. COVID-19 response command center

Governor Charlie Baker is taking additional steps in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus in Massachusetts. Saturday morning, he announced the formation of a COVID-19 response command center that will coordinate the state's response to the virus, helping to identify cases and coordinate care.

Under new testing rules, health care professionals won't have to seek approval for testing at-risk individuals, including those who have had close contact with infected people or who have traveled to affected areas. 

Gaming halt in Massachusetts casinos

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has voted to shut down the state's three casinos amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The decision was made in a vote Saturday morning. In a statement, the commission said an orderly shutdown process is underway, with the expectation that gambling will end by early Sunday morning. The decision will be reassessed in two weeks.

“We sincerely regret the impact this will have on our employees, their families, and the community, but their health and safety is our number one concern," MGM President Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement.

MGM said full-time employees would be paid during the hiatus. 

Connecticut casinos remain open for now, although several events have been canceled.

How transit is handling coronavirus

Transit agencies in the region say they’re adjusting schedules and ramping up cleaning efforts amid COVID-19 concerns. The Hartford Line is going to a Saturday schedule as of Monday, March 16, and a few days ago announced extra cleaning measures. Amtrak is doing the same, also with extra cleaning. The PVTA says it’s in the midst of schedule adjustments now that the Five Colleges are closed. And Peter Pan announced an “elevated level of cleaning.”

Many schools are closing

Massachusetts officials are telling local school districts to decide if they should close based on whether students or staff have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to people with the virus. Schools across the region — including Chicopee, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Springfield, West Springfield and Westfield — decided to shut down. In Hartford, public schools are closing indefinitely, with an evaluation in two weeks.

NEPR’s Adam Frenier, Sam Hudzik and Heather Brandon contributed to this report, which includes information from The Associated Press.

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