Island health officials have announced a unique, public-private partnership with Quest Diagnostics to make coronavirus testing available for all Vineyard residents.
In a major development for Martha’s Vineyard, Island health officials have announced a unique, public-private partnership with Quest Diagnostics to make coronavirus testing available for all Vineyard residents, with a drive-through testing facility at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
The program is set to begin at the end of May, officials said at a Zoom press conference Friday afternoon, with an eye on a May 28 start date.
Quest has made an effort to expand testing access across the country through federally qualified healthcare centers.
Quest has made an effort to expand testing access across the country through federally qualified healthcare centers.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Steve Rusckowski, who is chairman, president and CEO of Quest Diagnostics, his wife Deb O’Hara-Rusckowski, who is a registered nurse, Cynthia Mitchell, executive director of Island Health Care, and the Island boards of health.
The Rusckowskis are seasonal residents of Edgartown, where they own a home.
Currently, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has the only certified Covid-19 testing laboratory on the Island, with testing strictly limited to symptomatic patients and their close contacts. Nearly 30 Islanders have tested positive for the virus or antibodies since the outbreak began in mid-March.
The new project announced on Friday will mark the start of dramatically increased capacity for testing on the Island, officials said, and will put the Vineyard in line with some of the most comprehensive coronavirus testing locations in the country.
The goal is to eventually test every Islander who wants to get tested for the virus, regardless of symptoms, officials announced. They used the word “universal” to describe the scope of the project, emphasizing the importance of widespread testing for all Island residents.
“This is a glaring example of the importance of testing,” Mr. Rusckowski said at the press briefing. “I never expected in the many years I’ve been with Quest Diagnostics that testing would be on the front page of all the major newspapers and news outlets, but it is. We now understand the importance of testing.”
The idea for the project began with a simple backyard conversation between Mr. Rusckowski and his landscaper, Edgartown selectman Michael Donaroma, who then involved attorney Ron Rappaport, Ms. Mitchell and other health leaders on the Island.
“From there, things blossomed. And took on a life of its own,” Ms. O’Hara Rusckowski explained. “Without our friendship with Mike Donaroma, none of this would be happening.”
Officials outlined many of the details and logistics of the testing process at the press briefing on Friday.
The first phase of testing will target front-line workers, first responders and vulnerable populations, including people who are 65 and older, Edgartown health agent Matt Poole said at the press conference. Later phases are set to progressively expand testing to all year-round Island residents, regardless of their symptoms, with a plan to eventually include summer residents as well. Ms. O’Hara-Rusckowski said they hoped to eventually expand capacity at the site to 500 tests per day.
Cynthia Mitchell, executive director of Island Health Care: “Part of our scope of service is to be available to help plan disasters, and respond.”
Cynthia Mitchell, executive director of Island Health Care: “Part of our scope of service is to be available to help plan disasters, and respond.”
Testing individuals without symptoms reflected a different public health philosophy from criteria for testing established at the hospital, officials explained Friday.
“The role of universal testing in a community like Martha’s Vineyard comes at a slightly different angle than if you were seeking testing as a response to symptoms or illness,” Mr. Poole said. “This testing we are going to provide is more of a surveillance and prevention focused opportunity for Islanders who are exhibiting no symptoms, perhaps, or have a suspicion, or someone exhibiting symptoms. This is very much a service to everyone, with or without symptoms.”
Mr. Rusckowski said at the briefing that he had spoken with Gov. Charlie Baker, Massachusetts General Hospital president Peter Slavin and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital president and CEO Denise Schepici, who said they were on board with the proposal. Although the hospital is not a partner in the project, Ms. Schepici expressed her excitement in an emailed statement Friday.
“I think this is terrific for the Island,” Ms. Schepici wrote. “Martha’s Vineyard Hospital continues to test and treat patients who are symptomatic of COVID-19, and we remain focused on providing care to all our residents and visitors.”
Mr. Rusckowski said the testing at the high school would work in tandem with the symptomatic testing occurring at the hospital.
The tests will be conducted using a self-swab medium and administered in a drive-through format at the high school, via appointment only. Individuals will insert the swab into each of their nostrils and twist for approximately 15 seconds, Ms. O’Hara Rusckowski explained, with Quest then collecting the tests.
Licensed health care workers will observe Islanders as they conduct the swabs themselves, in their vehicles, with test results available in one to two days. The health care workers will all be serving as volunteers, and there will be employees of IHC on-site at all times as well.
Registration, screening, appointment scheduling and results notification for the tests will all be coordinated by Island Health Care, which contracted with the Island boards of health to conduct contact tracing since the outbreak began. On Friday, Ms. Mitchell, who moderated the briefing, said it had long been IHC’s goal to help expand testing.
“Part of our scope of service is to be available to help plan disasters, and respond,” Ms. Mitchell said. “We absolutely jumped at the chance.”
The expanded testing will also coincide with an expansion in contact tracing, Ms. Mitchell and Tisbury health agent Maura Valley said at the briefing. The expansion will include new volunteers and assistance from the state’s contact tracing initiative, if needed.
Deb O’Hara Rusckowski: “We . . . are always looking for ways to give back, and make a contribution to the Island that has given us so much.”
Deb O’Hara Rusckowski: “We . . . are always looking for ways to give back, and make a contribution to the Island that has given us so much.”
“Obviously, with expanded testing, we are going to have more positive cases, and we’ll have to do more expanded contact tracing,” Ms. Valley said. “I believe that we will be in a good place to do that, and hopefully stem the spread of this illness.”
The testing is set to continue at least through Labor Day.
There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the tests, and with a $100,000 donation from the Martha’s Vineyard Bank, testing will also be free for the uninsured, CEO James Anthony announced on Friday.
“Ubiquitous testing for all Island residents provides insight on the spread of the virus and therefore, protects everyone,” Mr. Anthony said.
Since the outbreak began in mid-March, Quest Diagnostics has been one of the leading private testing labs in the country, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the Covid-19 tests conducted at the peak of the pandemic, and approximately 45 per cent of the testing in the state.
In late April, Governor Baker announced that Quest would partner with community health centers throughout the state to expand testing capacity to underserved populations, including in towns like Boston. The announcement took place at the Quest lab in Marlboro, where the Island tests will be sent for analysis.
The partnership with Island Health Care marks an effort Quest has made to expand testing access across the country through federally qualified healthcare centers. It is a first-of-its kind partnership for the Island.
On Friday, Ms. O’Hara Rusckowski said that organizing the expansion of testing was a “no-brainer” for her and her husband, who said the Island had become an integral part of their lives.
“The Vineyard is a very special place for our family,” Ms. O’Hara Rusckowski said. “We therefore are always looking for ways to give back, and make a contribution to the Island that has given us so much.”
Comments
This is amazing! Thank you
Jane Norton ChilmarkThis is amazing! Thank you MVH, Denise Schepici, and the Rusckowskis for making this happen!
What did Denise do? Am I
Missing something?What did Denise do? Am I missing something? Seems like a private lab came in and implemented a better more comprehensive testing program than the hospital could come up with...
Thank you Mike Donaroma for
Wait...what? Oak BluffsThank you Mike Donaroma for putting this together! Relationships matter and seasonal homeowners love this island and the community, once again they’ve come through for us!
She has been amazing at
Lisa EdgartownShe has been amazing at keeping everyone updated she is working harder than you know
No, Denise did what a
Les Holcomb EdgartownNo, Denise did what a hospital must do. They are working with specific federal guidelines, people with moderste to severe symptoms again listed in the guidelnes, and assessing especially those those with symptoms you could "crash" and check their major underlying conditions: diabetes, cardiac, and lung and breathing disorders,. Age and obesity and age are also an accompanying factor. I would hope that they tested their most exposed employees in the ER, the testing crew, and the EMT-related workers. If you remain unimpressed. That's your problem not hers. We were the only County running without any help from the state. Barnstable, Bristol, and Nantucket had visible help and innovative arrangements, and Dukes had Nada. I finally emailed a complaint yesterday to the governor and our legislative representatives showing all the things that they had done, and "nothing" for us. I am sooo happy that this was in the works. Now we can focus on the problems of transmission of yhe virus through the air quality in at least one elementary school, and our older after-school programs, and pre-school programs. Two weeks ago there was Nada about kids, that except for the research in China but within the past week, there are groups at Harvard and the WHO cranking out stuff. So this time I, and others, won't be pussy-footing around. Just lay it out there assuming a school start-up in September without "smoke and mirrors". Anyway, kudos to Island Health Care and the CEO and the Governor. There still may be a rise in cases because there has been alot of car traffic and foot traffic on the ferry for the past two weeks. At least we've learned about hand-washing, face masks, disinfectants and social distance.
After you are tested then
Skeptical Oak bluffAfter you are tested then what .. Positive you are subjected to tracing & invasion of your friends and families lives ?
.. Negative you get to set up another appointment until you test positive ?
.. Without a positive test you can't be checked for Antibodies right ..
.. So you can get the Virus as soon as you drive away from the H.S. ?
When will it end ?
It doesn’t end.
Annie New englandIt doesn’t end.
When will skepticism ever end
Martha Oak BluffsWhen will skepticism ever end...?
People are dying. You think
Bruce West TisburyPeople are dying. You think it's an "invasion" to try to ensure that your family and friends don't end up on a respirator?
Pay attention, "Skeptical."
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyPay attention, "Skeptical." The countries and jurisdictions that have done the best at "flattening the curve" and curbing the spread of COVID-19 are those that have made widespread testing available. With a positive test, people can self-quarantine and thus avoid spreading the disease to others. With contact tracing, those who've been infected can do likewise. (As you must know, some people with COVID-19 don't show symptoms, and the disease can be spread before symptoms appear.) Testing and contact tracing also make it possible for those at risk of developing complications to seek medical help before those complications develop. Do you really have a problem with this?
Bravo to all involved! Island
JT MVBravo to all involved! Island people helping island people, no matter which way you slice it.
I agree , this is amazing and
Ess Western MAI agree , this is amazing and so good for the protection of the island, its residents and its limited medical resources. It would be comprehensive if those seasonal/day/weekend visitors could be tested,as well before anything spreads.Thanks to all who implemented this testing.
Quest’s expertise is testing.
Brian Vineyard HavenQuest’s expertise is testing.... no one does it better... so yes to hire experts in their field to do the testing makes sense to me...
What a wonderful gift to the
Charles Hodge EdgartownWhat a wonderful gift to the island. Will they include antibody testing so that those of us who might have unknowingly had the viius will be able to feel a bit safer? I hope they do.
If you get Covid , it doesn’t
Misha MaineIf you get Covid , it doesn’t mean your immune, you can get it again...
Look at the numbers around the country , they are getting higher not lower....
Please don’t spread false
Mark EdgartownPlease don’t spread false information, we don’t have enough data to understand the risk of reinfection or if those that recover have some form of immunity at this point in time. Numbers should be getting higher as testing expands. The better metrics to track are hospital utilization rates which have flattened and reduced in some areas of the country. The whole point of flattening the curve is to slow the infection to a point where the hospital system is not overwhelmed, not to stop the virus.
Thanks to the Rusckowskis…
fact checker edgThanks to the Rusckowskis… and how come no mention of Edgartown Selectman Michael Donoroma who made the request to his friends the Rusckowskis. How about give credit where it is due.
This newly revealed and
Chip Coblyn OBThis newly revealed and crucially needed testing regimen will bring a much needed measure of security to island residents, but now isn’t the time for end zone dances. Hopefully common sense will prevail and we’ll all remember that this deadly virus is still taking lives. And lastly, let it not be forgotten that it’s seasonal residents who have partnered with the hospital and come to our rescue.
5,000 +/- covid virus deaths
Andy MD N.Y5,000 +/- covid virus deaths in Massachusetts, 3,200 have occurred in the state’s nursing homes people over the age of 82 years old. The other 1,500 people majority were older and also underlying health issues.
If your sick and older please stay home. TAKE CARE OF THE SICK AND ELDERLY/NURSING HOMES.
Do not quarantine the healthy that has never worked. They need us working to take care of them.
In fact, quarantine for all,
Mark Hahn Vineyard HavenIn fact, quarantine for all, including the healthy, has worked in places that dealt with this pandemic before us. The "healthy" people you mention include many asymptomatic carriers, who can infect others. That is why a stay-at-home order has been necessary. Until we have more widespread testing to know who these asymptomatic carriers are, staying home is the prudent thing. Once the testing is here, a phased re-opening will be possible.
Not true, your getting your
Hal Retired MDNot true, your getting your information from political leaders who have other interests... look at the numbers.
We can play golf but can’t go to the playgrounds or beaches?
Open your eyes and use a common sense approach. Don’t get me wrong nobody want to see anyone die or get sick. But this is a major over reaction, did you look at the numbers in Massachusetts? If your in your 80’s and have health issues or have not taken care of yourself... stay home.. let the healthy work.. because if they don’t and soon we have a bigger pandemic... 2020 Great Depression...
All the information provided
Michael Brown Newton, MaAll the information provided today regarding the survey and expanded testing. I believe that how all of us respond is incredibly important. I am heading to the Island today. September could be an expanded time for visitors based on how things are handled now!
We are seasonal. We have not
mike SomewhereWe are seasonal. We have not come yet because we have been quarantining for 9 weeks. Playing it by ear. We are not symptomatic. Should we come? Could we be tested when we immediately come to assure we are not pathogens. Could this be expanded quickly, not eventually, to include Us as well as Permanent residents. We can prove who we are. People that own a home that we built on an Island that we love. We are not day trippers or renters. We want to do our part but not be part of the problem.
Mike, Thank you for your
VH resident Vineyard HavenMike, Thank you for your thoughtful approach to making decisions about coming to MV. It is much appreciated.
Thank you to Quest and to our
Marie EdgartownThank you to Quest and to our wonderful selectmen Mr Donaroma. Testing is important. Glad we have the test. Now how are we going to monitor the testing? Do you have to be a vineyard resident? How often can you be tested? I am sure the people running the operation have the answers but they haven’t been mentioned in the article. Strict regulations have to be in place or this has a chance of being abused.
Brava -
Jennifer Vineyard havenBrava -
This is a huge positive
Right Whale HooterThis is a huge positive development for the health and wellness of the island and the key to the door to carefully and thoughtfully open our island. A huge thank you to all those involved !!
Thank you to the Rusckowskis,
MA Vineyard HavenThank you to the Rusckowskis, the BOH, IHC and Mike Donaroma! This is great news.
Thank you to ALL who helped
Mary Jane Nevin ChilmarkThank you to ALL who helped make this opportunity come about! We are so lucky to have each of you in our community.
We are homeowners on the
Alan MarylandWe are homeowners on the Island but with a primary residence in Maryland. We want to come as soon as it is reasonably safe for us and for others on the Island. Is there a plan in place with metrics that can be used to set a date to welcome people like us?
I would like to say as health
Dr. Lorna Andrade, RN, Ph.d [retired] Professor Med. /Surg./ Gerontology Nursing education/ Administration EdgartownI would like to say as health Chair Educator for the NAACP, thank you to the Quest Diagnostic Lab, Owners The Rusckowski and to Mike Donaroma for implementing this TESTING initiative now, when our island population is beginning to explode with so many coming here for the summer.
I would encourage the Team to have a Portuguese speaking Professional person available to assist those who do not speak English well to follow the rules outlined in the process of Testing and follow-up.
I am also asking that those people of color with pre- conditions be first in testing, especially those who are working out in the community serving others.
Thank you,
NAACP, Health education Chair, Dr. Lorna Andrade
Thumbs Up**
Amy E EdgartownThumbs Up**
How accurate is the test? I
Carolyn O'Daly EdgartownHow accurate is the test? I also think antibody testing will prove important since I believe many people were infected before anyone even heard of Covid-19. Anyone young and basically healthy who was diagnosed with pneumonia last winter should be tested.
The testing shouldn’t be
Limitations ChilmarkThe testing shouldn’t be limited to islanders vs summer residents etc. they should test anyone who wants it and give priority to people working in grocery stores, transportation etc so they know they are safe from infection and safe from transmitting it to the community.
Great step forward! Anyone
Evan EdgartownGreat step forward! Anyone who comes to the Island to stay should be able to receive this testing too. Would essentially eliminate the need for the 14 day quarantine and allow seasonal residents and visitors to feel confident that they can run essential errands, go to the beach, be outside in nature, etc. This could really eliminate a lot of the tension between "outsiders" and locals. Anyone who owns a home here or has a rental should feel welcome! Seasonal residents strengthen our Island's community and deserve access to testing like the rest of us.
Seasonal residents come
OBMY OBSeasonal residents come through. How many times has this happened? Yet the vitriol spit at them has been palpable. They keep coming through for an island that doesn’t want them. I for one say thank you, we will get through this and it will come with the help of everyone, summer and permanent.
Not to rain on the happy
Vicki ChilmarkNot to rain on the happy parade, but what would all these comments sound like if it were Nantucket getting this free testing center?
The Vineyard is lucky to have a generous seasonal homeowner who happens to control large amounts of the most important and scarce resource on the planet right now -- COVID testing. We should all rejoice at our good fortune.
But currently there are 29 cases, no deaths and no hospitalizations. Businesses are suffering, but they are suffering everywhere.
Why us? Aren't there others who need it more?
Very generous and appreciated
Local MVYVery generous and appreciated. Please read about and learn from the very same type of partnership in Telluride CO two months ago. The great news here is that Quest already has a best in class lab operations system at scale. Many thanks for your generosity to the islanders, most of which are the people that make the island why we love it.
Why us indeed? I agree there
Jonathan West TisburyWhy us indeed? I agree there are much hotter spots than MV that need testing. Self protection of the rich so the locals who serve them can have their "passport" checked?
You're clearly in the "No
T Bone Oak BluffsYou're clearly in the "No good deed goes unpunished" minority. I'm grateful for their generosity.
Testing for ALL, free for the
gutsy chilmarkTesting for ALL, free for the uninsured. Why must an act of generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness be twisted into a negative notion ?
Every life is equally important. The fact that this outreach is spearheaded by local AND seasonal residents shows that generosity extends beyond zip code.And as a physician I can tell you that Quest's efforts extend throughout the state. Being negative for negativitie's sake doesn't contribute to the conversation.
This is great news. Robust
AT Phillips VTThis is great news. Robust testing is essential for re-opening. It sounds like a lot of collaboration went in to making this happen. Thank you to everyone involved.
I assume that this is a test
Warren MinneapolisI assume that this is a test for the presence of the virus, since sample collection will be by swab, not a blood draw. Antibody tests are less useful since they don't tell you if you are "actively infected", only that you have been exposed to the virus at sometime in the past.
Great news,we appreciate and
Louise VHGreat news,we appreciate and welcome the help.
Please put all the SSA employees on the list of front line workers. They should be tested at least once a week.
Thank you seasonal homeowners
Thomas EdgartownThank you seasonal homeowners for again putting your money where your vacation home is. Lots of anger from "islanders" directed at seasonal homeowners is made mute.
Testing should be available
Peter A. Guest Vineyard HavenTesting should be available to the entire country, not just wealthy communities. Inequality is dividing our country.
The Quest gift of testing to
Christine SengekontacketThe Quest gift of testing to the island is stipulating that all year-round residents of the island be tested first. Year-round residents here are not wealthy. The MV Commission found year-rounders average weekly wage was 71% of the state average. That means almost a third lower than the AVERAGE wage state-wide.
I agree that testing should be available to the entire country. But Trump has not organized any national testing program. Instead he has repeatedly said it is up to the states and local officials.
I am so grateful to the Rusckowskis for stepping in locally in absence of any organized national leadership.
As others have noted, there
Logical Testing Site - Good Data ChilmarkAs others have noted, there are a number of places running these community-wide testing programs. While concerns about the lack of equity in access to testing are entirely valid—everyone should have access—one additional argument for running such a program on the Vineyard is that it’s an island community and thus more self-contained than if they ran the same program in a major suburb. True that people come and go (although traffic may be way down this summer), but places like Iceland have tried to launch nationwide testing programs and this broader set of data can help give researchers more insight into how easily transmitted the disease actually is as well as a more accurate read on the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers etc.
Precisely. Data is processed
Ted Stanley WTPrecisely. Data is processed into information, which becomes knowledge, leading to understanding; which is an indispensable prerequisite to problem solving. Perhaps the Vineyard can be a small piece that helps sort out the world’s puzzle.
What a beautiful couple
More than a seasonal resident, aspiring islander Boston/EdgartownWhat a beautiful couple inside and out! Reminding all of us there are good, smart people in this world. I hope we will recognize the power the Vineyard has to set an example for the rest of the world.
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