The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital said Monday there are now eight confirmed cases of Covid-19 on the Island, five more than as of Saturday. And public officials said construction bans on both Islands will remain in place, following a Sunday conference call with spokesmen for Governor Baker.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has reported an uptick in confirmed cases of Covid-19 on the Island. There are now eight confirmed cases, the hospital said in a press briefing held Monday at noon, five more than as of Saturday.
There have been 91 tests; 73 were negative and 10 are pending, hospital leaders said.
Construction ban will stay in place until April 7.
Construction ban will stay in place until April 7.
No one is currently hospitalized for Covid-19.
In related news, public officials on the Vineyard and Nantucket announced Monday that construction bans on both Islands will remain in place following a Sunday conference call with three senior executives for Gov. Charlie Baker.
“The governor’s representatives stated that the local boards of health retain the power to ban construction if warranted by local considerations,” a statement posted on the Edgartown website said Monday morning.
“The orders of our local boards of health expire on April 7. During the next week, we intend to work with construction trades to develop a protocol for what happens after that date. In the meantime, we strongly urge everyone to comply with our order,” the statement also said.
The telephone conference call held late Sunday afternoon included selectmen, boards of heath, police chiefs and fire chiefs, the CEOs of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Dylan Fernandes, according to the statement.
Representing the governor on the call were chief legal counsel, chief of staff, and legislative liaison, it said.
The standoff between the governor and the two Islands over the construction ban began last week when Robert Ross, the governor’s chief legal counsel, sent a letter notifying state municipalities that they could not adopt orders that are stricter than Governor Baker’s advisory for a stay-at-home order that was issued early last week. At that stage construction bans were already under way in Island towns.
A wide coalition of leaders and also builders on both Islands formed to oppose the governor’s directive, saying that overturning the construction ban would put the health and safety of the Islands at risk. The Island hospitals, with 25 beds and 14 beds respectively, are bracing for a surge in Covid-19 cases, which is expected in the weeks ahead.
In a followup email to Mr. Ross Monday morning Senator Cyr pressed the chief legal counsel on the takeaway from the Sunday telephone conference call.
“Representative Fernandes and I would like to further memorialize our conversation on March 29,” Senator Cyr wrote. “Per our conversation, towns on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket who cannot guarantee that construction projects are conducted safety are able to employ their authority under their board of health to halt these projects. As discussed, each of the seven island towns have well documented the public health concerns and exposure risks associated with construction projects. Is this correct?”
Mr. Ross replied in part:
“Regarding construction projects, the municipality must be satisfied that a project can be conducted safely. If the town cannot guarantee that construction projects are conducted safely, they are able to employ their authority under their board of health to halt these projects.”
Reached by phone late Monday morning, West Tisbury town administrator Jennifer Rand said that she couldn’t speak for all the Island towns, but that West Tisbury had a similar interpretation of the meeting as the one presented in the Edgartown statement.
“We were all on the same call,” Ms. Rand said. “I don’t think any of us walked away with a different interpretation.”
Ms. Rand said that town leaders told the governor’s office in the bluntest terms the dire nature of the Islands’ limited resources.
“What was expressed to the governor was our concern that our hospitals, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket collectively, absolutely positively can’t handle any extra. We can’t handle extra construction injuries. We can’t handle extra infections from people coming over on the boat every day to work. We don’t have the capacity. And we are unique in that we have people coming over every day on the boat to work.”
Comments
Why were the bike rental
ISALNDER WEST TISBURYWhy were the bike rental shops in VH and Edgartown open for business and advertising rentals on Instagram on Saturday last weekend. Why was Donaroma's allowed to be open and delivering trees and shrubs. Are these considered essential business under the Shutdown ? Please help me understand.
I totally agree. This is not
Amarylis DouglasI totally agree. This is not about people making a buck. This is supposed to be about saving lives. Get your priorities straight
I think it’s some point
Shelkey EdgartownI think it’s some point humanity is going to have to get used to the fact that with 7.7 billion people on the planet viruses and bacteria going to be cropping up in a pretty regular basis. And we’re just going to have to accept it. I think it will be unrealistic to shut down economies worldwide each time this happens. Because, if governments shutting down economies around the world causes a worldwide depression, how many will starve to death?
This article details the
Concerned 1This article details the construction ban but what of the looming, unanswered questions re contingency plans for MV; which still allows unrestricted population increase? What is the plan when we surge? What are the protocols if/when medical personnel and/or police, fire and EMT's become infected? Will the national guard be deployed to support public health and safety? Will they help with development of an overflow site on MV or is there another plan that involves Cape hospitals? (What if they're at capacity?) Has anyone obtained additional ventilators for our vulnerable populations? What was the response from the Governor when Ms. Rand explained the challenge of resources on MV? (Why include this in the article if you won't share the response?)
Im sitting in the hot spot of
William NYC & ChilmarkIm sitting in the hot spot of C-19 NY. I finished my 14 day quarantine today post the symptoms onset. I was not able to be tested when I self reported to the hotline 2 weeks ago. At that point, all testing in NY stopped but for individuals going into hospital. I am certain I had C-19 as I had all the symptoms after having direct exposure to someone who tested positive days after my encounter. I also was in Burma and Hong Kong for this past Lunar New Year in early Feb. I experienced mild symptoms for 4-5 days (achy/stuffy/low energy) no fever. Very limited impact, like most people who get this. Today, I actually received my first and only call from the NY State asking if I wanted to get tested 14 days in. This is not an uncommon situation here. At this point, I declined to be tested as there is no way to confirm I was ill, 14 days past the onset and 7 days past any symptoms. We still lack a broad antibody test for C-19 to determine who had the illness, me. So why not get tested? Why not for my peace of mind - that I no longer have it? Because I would be consuming a test that could be used for someone more needy and I am past any recommended quarantine guidelines any health body has issued anywhere in the world. I would be limiting someone else from getting tested, maybe someone who has pre-existing health issues (i have none) with concern of the onset of C-19 but not clear symptoms that allow for testing yet. Maybe someone from the Vineyard, where I was born, that needs to get tested and can't. I added this last sentence because we are all in this together period and we need to arrive at the best outcome for the Nation as a whole.
Not New Yorkers, Not Islanders
You are 100% right. I’m glad
Jess EdgartownYou are 100% right. I’m glad you are doing well. We are all in this together. It’s not about paying taxes for services you don’t use etc It’s about not moving the virus around
William, I would absolutely
Jennifer D New YorkWilliam, I would absolutely get tested. If you had it then you would have the antibodies thus rendering you immune, plus they are researching the antibodies and using them to help those who are severely ill with C-19.
TRUE,
Pam Hayling Hoffman Alexandria, LouisianaTRUE,
I too had most symptoms and
MVLD West TisburyI too had most symptoms and in self quarantine. Called in to MGH where my primary care dr is located to report. Also called MV Hospital. The 2 relatives I stayed with in Boston just received positive test back for the virus,one is now hospitalized, so more than likely I have it. No fever,no shortness of breath, body aches, headaches, caughing 2 weeks now, sinus pain, no energy,sence of smell and taste totally gone. No testing suggested or offered. I'm female 69 and fighting this alone. I believe I'm past the worst and will fully recover. Praying for everyone.
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