Coronavirus: Second Biogen Attendee From Arlington Tests Negative

ARLINGTON, MA — A second Arlington resident who attended a Biogen employee conference in Boston linked to dozens of presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus has tested negative for COVID-19, the illness associated with the virus. Health officials say they are "optimistic" about pending test results for the person's child. The family, which has children at Dallin Elementary, Gibbs and Arlington High School, will remain in self-quarantine until the results are received.

Another Arlington resident who attended the conference and her child, a Stratton Elementary School student, are recovering at home after testing positive for COVID-19. The Stratton School was closed Monday after the child began showing symptoms of the virus.

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Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts as the number of "presumptive positive" cases spiked to 92 across the state. Presumptive positive means the CDC still needs to verify the test result.

The Arlington Leadership Team announced additional safety measures Wednesday afternoon, including postponing events and closing public meeting spaces:

• Arlington Senior Center programming is suspended until further notice.
  • Senior transportation services will continue to run, to ensure Arlington seniors can make vital appointments.
• Programs and events at Arlington's libraries will be postponed, and public meeting spaces will be closed until further notice.
• Arlington Recreation Department meetings, events and programming are cancelled until further notice
• The Town urges reasonable caution and strongly urges all residents practice good hygiene, especially as it relates to hand-washing and covering coughs/sneezes.
• All foreign and domestic travel, including conferences/seminars, for municipal employees has been suspended until further notice.
• Regular internal business shall continue, including but not limited to the meetings of boards and commissions that are preparing for Town Meeting or otherwise have statutory/regulatory responsibilities to fulfill. Exceptions to this will require the written approval of the Town Manager.
• Any meeting cancellations would be posted on the town website and at town hall.
• Town officials are actively discussing potential impacts on Town Meeting and also speaking with state officials regarding potential legislative relief. As more information becomes available it will be shared with Town Meeting Members and the general public.

Previously: Arlington Child Tests Positive For Coronavirus, School To Reopen

Arlington Parent Tests Positive For Coronavirus, School To Close