Natick Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

NATICK, MA — A Natick resident has tested positive for the new coronavirus, COVID-19, and the person has two children who attend Natick High School, school officials said Sunday night. The news comes as state health officials on Sunday updated the total number of cases in the Boston area to 28.

The Natick case is "presumptive positive," which means the Centers for Disease Control still needs to verify the test result. Of the state's 28 cases, only one — a UMass student who traveled to China — has been confirmed positive so far.

In a message to parents on Sunday night, Natick Public Schools said that the district is not planning to close Natick High School on Monday, and that the two students are not showing any symptoms. The high school was closed on Sunday for a deep cleaning.

"Out of an abundance of caution we made the proactive decision to close Natick High today (March 8, 2020) and allow for a second thorough cleaning and sanitation round for every classroom and space throughout the building," the statement said. "This second cleaning will conclude by midnight tonight. All custodians involved used recommended protective gear while cleaning."

Natick has stepped up cleaning efforts at all schools and on buses, and has canceled all international trips this spring.

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On Sunday, the state Department of Public Health announced 15 new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases. All were connected to a Biogen conference held in Boston last month. The cases announced Sunday include: five people from Suffolk County and five from Middlesex County, ranging in age from the 30s to the 60s; four people from Norfolk County in their 40s to 60s; and a woman whose age and county are unknown.

The town of Lexington on Sunday night also confirmed that one of the new cases is a town resident. On Friday, Wellesley closed two schools for cleaning after a parent of two students tested positive.

The Natick family affected by COVID-19 have been in self-quarantine since last week, the Natick Board of Health said on Sunday.