Coronavirus Cases Stay at 12 for Sixth Day; Hospital Warns Islanders to Stay Home
<p>Confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Martha’s Vineyard held steady at 12 for a sixth straight day Monday, but hospital leaders warned Islanders to not become complacent.</p>
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Martha’s Vineyard held steady at 12 for a sixth straight day Monday, but hospital leaders warned Islanders to not become complacent.
“It takes only one,” Martha’s Vineyard Hospital president and chief executive officer Denise Schepici said in an open letter to the community sent to Island newspapers. “One person who is COVID-19 positive. One person, in our community who shows no symptoms and innocently is unaware he or she is carrying the novel coronavirus. It takes only one to assist the spread and infect scores of others — without knowing.”
As of Monday the hospital had done 206 tests, with 188 negatives, 12 positives and six pending. No one was hospitalized Monday with Covid-19.
Statewide, a surge in cases continued Monday, with 1,392 new cases for a total of 26,867. There were 88 new deaths reported, bringing the total death toll from the disease to 844.
The Island remains in a state of nearly complete shutdown, with stay-at-home orders in effect in every town, and construction halted until April 21.
“This virus is everything we as Islanders are not,” Ms. Schepici wrote in her letter. “It promotes isolation and protection from each other. Whereas we are a diverse community, bonded in our love for an Island and its treasures that we all cherish.
“However, in order to fight back against COVID-19, we will need to make sacrifices and we will need to make those decisions together.
“No one likes to say, please stay home. But we do so as a request to support our entire community. We greatly appreciate all those who have heeded our call and thank everyone for embracing a spirit of unity with a singular focus of taking care of one another for the safety of one another.”
A strong spring storm moving in from the south began buffeting the Vineyard late Monday afternoon, canceling some ferry service. High winds were in the forecast for overnight.
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Comments
I think its understood that a
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownI think its understood that a quarantine only has to last 14 days. Because of the limited access to the island it seems to me after 14 days the island could return to normal --IF-- EVERY person coming off the ferry [or arriving at the airport] were screened for temperature [and symptoms?] It seems to me with the reduced number of travelers this could be done if the towns worked together to staff the process. Obviously new case sources have to be closely tracked after the quarantine ends but with few cases this too should be possible.
This could save the summer depending what 'summer' and how 'opening' the economy are defined.
Sorry folks, keeping the germ
island girl islandSorry folks, keeping the germ pool small and the new sources of infection (from folks passing back and forth from the island via private jet or ferry) or even intra island from house to house or shop to house or house to school, needs to continue until the chance of infection is close to zero. Otherwise why could have sequestered ourselves for weeks, even months, and then have the virus find a soul mate or two or three (or hundreds) as soon as the restrictions are lifted Because our authorities across the boards of all six towns made the hard decision and closed us down early and decisively we are currently in an enviable position, and frankly we need to remain there. This is long term wisdom as opposed to short term mercenary instincts.
There is a substantial elder population, we have limited resources (not just medical) and even more limited access to just about everything. Yes, we do have a very high cost of living and few benefited jobs, but PLEASE, do not rush to open just for the sake of the almighty buck. Our admirably low number of cases is saving our lives!
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