Coronavirus

2nd Indiana Resident Has COVID-19 After Traveling to Boston Biogen Meeting

Several cases of the new coronavirus have been tied to a Biogen meeting that took place in Boston.

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More than 20 people have died in the United States from the coronavirus, with over 500 people diagnosed with the virus. The outbreak has impacted daily aspects of American life, from the plunging stock markets to members of Congress self quarantining.

A second person in Indiana has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Boston to attend a biotech firm's meeting, state officials said Sunday. 

The adult, who lives in Hendricks County, attended a meeting for Biogen Inc. last month and "developed mild flu-like symptoms'' days later, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. 

The person is in isolation and not being hospitalized. State officials said several COVID-19 cases have been tied to the Boston meeting, including a Marion County resident identified Friday as Indiana's first case. 

Two Boston hospitals are testing dozens of people who were at a hotel that hosted a conference now linked to several cases of coronavirus. City and state officials spoke about those cases at a briefing, telling the public to stay calm and take steps to protect themselves.

"With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States and the fact that we are a mobile society, this new case isn't surprising, but we know it causes concern in the community,'' State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said in a statement. 

He urged the state's residents to take ''common-sense precautions'' and educate themselves. 

Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 3,400, the vast majority of them in China. Most cases have been mild, and more than half of those infected have recovered.

Copyright The Associated Press
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