BOSTON – The Steamship Authority has taken two vessels out of service for a thorough cleaning after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
The employee worked on both the M/V Woods Hole and the M/V Governor and learned about the positive test results on Saturday, the quasi-public agency announced Sunday.
The employee, whose name was not released, was “unlikely to have prolonged exposure with any member of the public” due to the person’s typical work duties, the statement said.
Twenty-three Steamship Authority workers will be tested for COVID-19 on Monday.
Another worker had tested positive for the virus on Friday.
With two vessels out of service, some trips have been canceled.
The Steamship Authority provides ferry service from the mainland to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod.
___
VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS
Massachusetts reported 11 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and about 300 newly confirmed cases Monday, pushing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to more than 8,820 and its confirmed caseload to more than 118,700.
The seven-day weighted average of positive tests was 1%. The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
There were more than 300 people reported hospitalized Monday because of COVID-19, and more than 50 in intensive care units.
The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19-related deaths at long-term care homes rose to more than 5,800 or about 64% of all confirmed and probable deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.
___
MARIJUANA EVENT POSTPONED
An annual pro-marijuana event in western Massachusetts that attracts thousands of people has again been postponed, this time until next year.
Organizers of Extravaganja tell The Daily Hampshire Gazette the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prompted them to put off this year’s festival until next April 17.
This year’s event was originally supposed to take place on April 19 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, but was postponed until Oct. 17 because of the pandemic.