U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy Temporarily Suspends Campaign Activities, Citing COVID-19 Threat

Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III said Friday he is temporarily suspending all campaign activities in light of the growing threat of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Kennedy is hoping to oust Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, who is running for re-election.

Kennedy's campaign manager Nick Clemons said in a press release that it isn't wise to continue political activities given the reality that Massachusetts families and communities are facing.

Clemons said the suspension will last one week and the campaign will reassess its options by close of business on March 20. Clemons said the campaign will maintain a digital presence.

The number of people in Massachusetts who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 102 on Thursday. More than 80 cases were associated with a meeting of executives of the firm Biogen at a Boston hotel last month.