Nantucket is under a State of Emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic and Nantucket Cottage Hospital is requesting that island residents do not come to the hospital unless they need emergency care that would require them to be admitted, have an urgent health matter that cannot wait, or are an expecting mother in labor. As this situation evolves we will need to focus all our resources on those who need immediate care.

We are also advising anyone traveling to the island, or anyone who has come here to shelter from other cities or towns, that Nantucket has limited medical resources and a surge of cases could quickly overwhelm our hospital. If you have a choice to be on Nantucket or not, we are requesting that you make the decision to stay off the island to avoid a potentially dire scenario for our community and our hospital.

We need everyone on Nantucket to stay home now. Residents should follow every precaution with regards to social distancing, hygiene, hand-washing, and disinfecting much-used surfaces.

The drive-through evaluation site at the main entrance of Nantucket Cottage Hospital will continue to operate and island residents who are feeling symptoms of respiratory illness should utilize this service. Please do not come to the drive-through if you are well and do not have symptoms. It is not a voluntary testing site. The drive-through is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s supply of personal protective equipment, or PPE, that our medical providers need to continue to care for patients. Hospitals across the country are facing shortages and we are concerned that our limited supply could soon be exhausted as this situation continues to evolve. Nantucket Cottage Hospital is appealing to the community for donations of N95 respirator masks, regular ear loop masks, medical gloves and gowns. We would like this request to reach our local contractors, painters, dentist offices, beauty salons, and any other businesses or individuals who may have a supply they could donate. These items are critical to protect our healthcare workers and patients, and will help us prevent the spread of any potential infections in our community.

If you are able to donate any of these items, please drop them off at the loading dock at Nantucket Cottage Hospital off Vesper Lane between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. seven days per week.

Thank you Laura, Chris, and Lorna for underscoring these important messages to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying positive and having fun! Little Liam was the last patient in our old hospital – getting so big! Stay home and stay safe everyone. Thank you for supporting us.

(March 19, 2020) In response to the current events surrounding COVID-19, there will be a few changes with the operations at Dr. Timothy Lepore’s office. As an attempt to limit exposure, we are requesting only people with appointments come into the office.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital is in full support of the Town of Nantucket’s decision today to declare a State of Emergency and implement a moratorium on all construction projects.

We live on a remote island with limited medical resources. It is absolutely imperative that the community takes the COVID-19 pandemic extremely seriously. We must do everything we can to flatten the curve of potential infections and avoid a scenario in which we have a surge of cases that could overwhelm our hospital and medical providers.