A Pennsylvania man with coronavirus attended a conference in West Palm Beach, officials say
A man who attended a conference in Palm Beach County a little over a week ago returned home to Pennsylvania, where he tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials announced Sunday evening.
The man, whose age was not released, notified the Pennsylvania Department of Health of his symptoms, and officials then told Florida when he tested positive for the virus, which causes COVID-19.
Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner said the man worked an exhibitor booth for the biotechnology company Biogen at the conference on Friday, February 28. He said the conference, the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Forum, has notified all attendees, and the company that runs the Palm Beach County Convention Center warned all employees and vendors.
Palm Beach officials did not say how sick the man was or if he has interacted with anyone outside of the conference, like at restaurants or a hotel.
Palm Beach County Florida Department of Health Director Dr. Alina Alonso confirmed that the Pennsylvania man’s case will not be reflected in any numbers on the Florida Department of Health’s website because it’s a Pennsylvania case.
This is the second case where someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in a separate state had recently traveled to South Florida. The first was a Westchester County man who had just visited Bal Harbour.
“There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Palm Beach County,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. “We will remain diligent and proactive.”
Biogen, the man’s employer, has become the center of an outbreak in Massachusetts. Of the almost 30 cases statewide, most are related to a management meeting held by the company in Boston, according to Masslive. All 175 attendees have been asked to self-quarantine by the company and all staff was ordered to work from home.
This story was originally published March 8, 2020 at 6:25 PM.
