MBTA transit vehicles will be cleaned over concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus strain known as COVID-19. (Neal McNamara/Patch)

NATICK, MA — The MBTA joined public transit agencies across the country Wednesday in stepping up cleaning efforts to help stifle the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Wednesday that new protocols to clean subway trains and buses should be in place by the end of the week. Keolis, the company that operates the commuter rail for the MBTA, confirmed that each train set will be disinfected daily.



Although it's not widely understood how COVID-19 spreads, most viruses can live on surfaces. More common illnesses like norovirus, influenza, and the common cold spread when people touch contaminated surfaces, and then touch their face or mouth.

"We’re going to put a protocol in place where each of our stations, all the contact areas where people are touching, for instance, guard rails, handrails, fare equipment, will be cleaned every four hours,” Poftak said of the Boston-area subway and bus system.

Massachusetts has not seen a widespread COVID-19 outbreak. The state Department of Public Health this week confirmed a new "presumptive" COVID-19 case in a Norfolk County woman. That comes after a UMass Boston student in his 20s became the state's first confirmed infection in early February.

State health officials have also said that 719 Massachusetts residents have been subject to self-quarantine — 417 have completed monitoring, and 249 are still being monitored.

Rhode Island has two presumptive positive cases, and New Hampshire has two.

The MBTA announcement follows similar moves by the New York City-area MTA and King County Metro, which operates buses across the Seattle area. The New York City region has seen two COVID-19 cases, although up to 1,000 people may be subject to self-quarantine. Thirty-nine have contracted the disease in the Seattle area, 10 have died.

Guidance from the state Department of Public Health on how to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

Cover your coughs and sneezes.

Stay home if you are sick.

Read more on the state's coronavirus webpage.