Anthony Marsh
2020-08-27 00:41:56 UTC
Biogen conference
Researchers: Biogen Conference Likely Led to 20,000 COVID-19 Cases
Genetic mutations of the coronavirus enabled researchers to better
understand the scope of what they called a "superspreading event"
By Staff Reports • Published August 25, 2020 • Updated on August 25,
2020 at 6:53 pm
NBC Universal, Inc.
The Boston hotel that was linked to a coronavirus outbreak after it
hosted a local biotech company's conference earlier this year likely led
to about 20,000 cases, according a new study.
The cases can be linked to the conference held in February at Boston
Marriott Long Wharf, which was shut down in mid-March, in four
Massachusetts counties by early May, the Boston Globe reports.
Download our free mobile app for iOS or Android to get the latest
breaking news and in-depth coverage of COVID-19.
The estimate indicates that the coronavirus is more widespread than the
dozens of cases in Massachusetts that had been previously linked to the
meeting.
The scientists studied nearly all the confirmed early cases by changes
in the genetic makeup of the virus as it was transmitted from person to
person, according to the Globe. The genetic mutations enabled
researchers to better understand the scope of what they called a
"superspreading event."
The researchers' told the Globe that their calculations are based on
viruses isolated from 772 patients in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and
Suffolk counties, but the estimation not included in the study, which
has yet to be peer-reviewed for publication.
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In a statement, Biogen said Tuesday much had been learned about the
coronavirus since the conference at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf.
"February 2020 was nearly a half year ago, and was a period when general
knowledge about the coronavirus was limited," the statement said. "We
were adhering closely to the prevailing official guidelines. We never
would have knowingly put anyone at risk. When we learned a number of our
colleagues were ill, we did not know the cause was COVID-19, but we
immediately notified public health authorities and took steps to limit
the spread."
In a press conference Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said
while many social distancing measures have been implemented since the
conference, the outbreak that stemmed from it demonstrated the vicious
nature of the virus.
"It speaks to the power of that virus to move from one person to another
to another to another, if people wear masks, don’t social distance,
don’t take seriously the fact that the fundamental strength of COVID-19
its ability to get from one person to the next," he said.
Researchers: Biogen Conference Likely Led to 20,000 COVID-19 Cases
Genetic mutations of the coronavirus enabled researchers to better
understand the scope of what they called a "superspreading event"
By Staff Reports • Published August 25, 2020 • Updated on August 25,
2020 at 6:53 pm
NBC Universal, Inc.
The Boston hotel that was linked to a coronavirus outbreak after it
hosted a local biotech company's conference earlier this year likely led
to about 20,000 cases, according a new study.
The cases can be linked to the conference held in February at Boston
Marriott Long Wharf, which was shut down in mid-March, in four
Massachusetts counties by early May, the Boston Globe reports.
Download our free mobile app for iOS or Android to get the latest
breaking news and in-depth coverage of COVID-19.
The estimate indicates that the coronavirus is more widespread than the
dozens of cases in Massachusetts that had been previously linked to the
meeting.
The scientists studied nearly all the confirmed early cases by changes
in the genetic makeup of the virus as it was transmitted from person to
person, according to the Globe. The genetic mutations enabled
researchers to better understand the scope of what they called a
"superspreading event."
The researchers' told the Globe that their calculations are based on
viruses isolated from 772 patients in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and
Suffolk counties, but the estimation not included in the study, which
has yet to be peer-reviewed for publication.
Coronavirus Coverage
coronavirus
Aug 25
Lynn Now a Major COVID-19 Hot Spot in Mass.
coronavirus
Aug 25
Fewer Seniors Are Working at Polling Places Amid the Pandemic. Young
People Are Stepping in
In a statement, Biogen said Tuesday much had been learned about the
coronavirus since the conference at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf.
"February 2020 was nearly a half year ago, and was a period when general
knowledge about the coronavirus was limited," the statement said. "We
were adhering closely to the prevailing official guidelines. We never
would have knowingly put anyone at risk. When we learned a number of our
colleagues were ill, we did not know the cause was COVID-19, but we
immediately notified public health authorities and took steps to limit
the spread."
In a press conference Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said
while many social distancing measures have been implemented since the
conference, the outbreak that stemmed from it demonstrated the vicious
nature of the virus.
"It speaks to the power of that virus to move from one person to another
to another to another, if people wear masks, don’t social distance,
don’t take seriously the fact that the fundamental strength of COVID-19
its ability to get from one person to the next," he said.