Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday declared a “state of emergency” in Massachusetts in response to a surge of new cases of COVID-19, the virus that has infected more than 116,000 people globally, resulting in nearly 4,100 deaths. Through Tuesday afternoon, 92 people in Massachusetts had been diagnosed with the disease. Of that number, 70 cases have been tied to a Biogen conference held in Boston last month. And 6 people have been hospitalized.

In Boston, according to Mayor Martin Walsh, there are 18 presumptive cases and one confirmed case of coronavirus. On Monday, Walsh cancelled the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an event that can attract as many as 1 million spectators to the neighborhood, that was set to be held on Sunday in South Boston.

Other St. Patrick’s Day events, including a flag-raising at City Hall Plaza set for Thursday and the annual pre-parade breakfast hosted by Sen. Nick Collins in South Boston, were also cancelled.

“We cancelled the parade out of caution and the potential spread of the coronavirus,” Walsh said. “This is a very fluid situation, and a national concern. We’re seeing it pass through the country and we want to do everything we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus. We’re working with the Mass. Department of Public Health and the Governor’s office, and they are working with the CDC on getting information out to people and that’s where we stand now.”

“I think in some places we’re past containment, like New York City,” Walsh added. “We don’t have any community spread right now that we’re aware of in the City of Boston, but I think that at some point, we’re preparing for the inevitable.”

Baker said that by declaring a state of emergency, his administration would gain “more flexibility” to deal with the threat to public health. A state of emergency was last called in 2018, after gas pipeline explosions in the Merrimack Valley.

The order gives him additional authority to cancel large events, for example, and to allow school districts more flexibility to close as needed. The governor said that older residents and those with underlying health issues were most vulnerable to adverse effects from the virus and should “avoid large crowds” and take additional precautions.

“There’s no question that efforts to mitigate this virus will be disruptive,” Baker said. “We need everyone to be vigilant and be part of this effort. We all must consider how our actions and choices can help mitigate the impact.”

Baker outlined new protocols for state employees in his remarks on Tuesday. For executive branch workers, all work-related travel is to be discontinued, effective Wednesday, and Baker’s office is encouraging executive branch employees to cancel personal international travel, among other new restrictions.

“The number of reported cases has seen a significant uptick in the United States and in Massachusetts and our state health officials are closely monitoring and tracing presumptive cases here,” Baker said, adding that the “enhanced” measures he announced were being put in place to get ahead of the spread of the coronavirus and that the current number of people infected or isolated is within the health care system’s capabilities.

He also encouraged employers, where possible, to limit or eliminate non-essential travel and larger meetings and encourage telecommuting.
In other news related to the outbreak:

• Starting March 23, when students are due back from spring break, Amherst College and Harvard University will no longer hold classes on campus. They will transition to online learning once the week of vacation concludes.

• State Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo wrote to their members and staff Monday night, advising them to stay home if sick and to practice proper hygiene. “

• Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency on Monday amid concerns over COVID-19. Two Massachusetts border states have now formally declared emergencies after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo did so on Saturday, with both officials saying the status will help unlock additional resources to limit spread of the virus.

• On Monday night, President Trump said he would pursue a stimulus package with a “big number” to offer small business loans and to support tourism industries stunted by business slowdowns amid the virus, POLITICO reported.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier Monday during an appearance in Boston that she was interested in legislation aimed at assisting workplaces and employees affected.

• The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has published guidance for schools, including information on school closures related to COVID-19. If a school closes for reasons relating to the virus, administrators are asked to contact their local board of health, the Department of Public Health’s 24/7 epidemiology line, and Associate Commissioner Helene Bettencourt.

The Clarksburg School, Natick High School, and Arlington’s Stratton Elementary School were closed Monday after presumptive positive cases were identified in those towns.

State House News Service contributed to this story.