Mass. confirms its first coronavirus death

Boston (AP) — Massachusetts confirmed its first death from the coronavirus on Friday, while the state’s attorney general filed an order banning price gouging.

Here’s a look at developments in Massachusetts:

Death

The state Department of Public Health said Friday a man in his 80s from Suffolk County is the first person in Massachusetts to die from the illness caused by the virus.

Public health officials said the man had been hospitalized and had preexisting health conditions that put him at higher risk.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts have topped 400. Of those, at least 58 have been hospitalized.

Gov. Charlie Baker offered his condolences to the man’s family.

“We are living in uncertain and challenging times, and our administration is bringing every available resource to bear in the fight against this disease,” Baker said in a news release.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.

Price gouging

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey filed an emergency regulation Friday banning price gouging of essential products and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.Healey, a Democrat, said the regulation “prohibits price gouging of goods and services necessary for public health and safety during a declared statewide or national emergency.”

The state’s only existing price gouging regulation is related to the sale of gasoline and other petroleum products. Healey said her office has heard from hospitals and consumers about skyrocketing prices for things like hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves and other essential gear.