MASSACHUSETTS

Physicians with Massachusetts General Hospital said they've found widespread evidence of exposure to the new coronavirus in a small Boston-area city.

Nearly a third of 200 Chelsea residents who gave a drop of blood to researchers this week tested positive for antibodies linked to the virus, the Boston Globe reported. The participants seemed to be healthy, but half told doctors they experienced at least one symptom in the past four weeks.

Massachusetts has been hit hard by the virus. More than 1,400 people have died, and the state hit a new high for deaths in a single day on Friday with 159.

Dr. John Iafrate, vice chairman of MGH’s pathology department and the study’s principal investigator, told the Globe that Chelsea is in the midst of a “raging epidemic,” but is also probably further along in the outbreak than other communities.

MAINE

The state's largest city is backing off restrictions on non-essential businesses that prohibited them from shipping items or allowing curbside pickup.

Portland officials initially said non-essential businesses would be limited to administrative functions. Many business owners complained the new rules were punitive, and the City Council is scheduled to hold a remote emergency meeting on the subject on Monday.

The city is also scheduled to consider whether to extend a stay-at-home order that lasts to April 27.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

A new New Hampshire emergency fund for health care facilities has awarded loans totaling nearly $15.8 million to 43 medical offices, health organizations and hospitals.

Gov. Chris Sununu created the $50 million fund on March 19 to help health care facilities stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. As of Friday, it had awarded 44 loans ranging in amount from $2,000 for North Coast Family Health to $5.2 million for LRGHealth, the nonprofit trust that operates Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia and Franklin Regional Hospital. Three other hospitals got at least $1 million — Exeter Hospital, Androscoggin Valley Hospital and Cottage Hospital, as did ConvenientMD.

Other than the five loans above $1 million, the average loan was $124,000.

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New Hampshire will use a $2 million federal grant to set up a system to provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment during the coronavirus pandemic.

The state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday it will use the emergency funding to establish New Hampshire Rapid Response, a comprehensive system that will provide crisis intervention services and other supports. Commissioner Lori Shibinette says while the primary focus during the crisis has been on the physical wellbeing of residents, the state can’t overlook the impact of the virus on those who struggle with mental illness or substance abuse.

The program will be run through the existing community mental health system, and will also provide crisis services for other individuals in need of behavioral health supports, including health care workers.

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The ACLU of New Hampshire and national ACLU said they have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court seeking the release of all Immigration and Customs Enforcement civil detainees from Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover. The ACLU said it's impossible to maintain safe social distance at the facility.

VERMONT

Vermont's largest city has closed some roads to vehicular through traffic to make it easier for residents to maintain social distance.

City officials told NECN that the initiative is being rolled out in phases. Mayor Miro Weinberger said the goal of the initiative is to allow residents to get outside and enjoy the outdoors while doing it safely.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said the state has prepared guidelines for who will get hospital care and equipment in the event of shortages. The Providence Journal reported Raimondo said she's confident it won't come to that, but the state needs to be prepared for it.

Rhode Island has had more than 100 deaths due to the virus.