Joint Statement from Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the Nantucket Health Department | Sept. 10, 2020

Today we reported an additional 7 new cases of COVID-19 among patients tested at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital drive-through testing site. This brings the two-day incidence to 14 new cases. The Town of Nantucket Health Department and Nantucket Cottage Hospital are working to determine if these new cases are connected or not, along with the necessary contact tracing. We are looking to ensure that this community spread is contained as quickly as possible. To that end, we urge all those individuals who receive a phone call from a contact tracer to answer the call and cooperate fully with the case investigation. This is among the most important tools we have to contain the spread of the virus. We also continue to urge all Nantucket residents and visitors to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on the island, including wearing masks, physical distancing, refraining from gathering in any groups, and vigilant hand-washing. It is critical that this spread be contained so that our high-risk population stays safe and our hospital does not become overwhelmed.

COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing
Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Monday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Physicians Clinic/Same-Day Appointments
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Outpatient Lab
Saturday, Sunday & Monday: Closed

Outpatient Imaging
Monday: No scheduled appointments.
Available for urgent outpatient, emergent and inpatient exam needs.

Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital respectfully requests that patients, visitors, and anyone else on or around the NCH campus refrain from taking photographs of the vehicles and individuals in line for COVID-19 testing. Please respect the privacy of our patients and your fellow community members.

It is a violation of Nantucket Cottage Hospital policy to photograph patients without their consent and it is a serious invasion of privacy to post such images on social media without consent.  Furthermore, such actions could discourage individuals from getting evaluated for COVID-19 testing, which is one of the best tools we have to keep our community safe during the pandemic. Patients who are in a queue of vehicles or standing in line to be tested should not be photographed.

While we cannot control individuals taking photos of the hospital from other public or private property surrounding our campus, we again request that people refrain from doing so out of respect for our patients’ privacy.

Thank you.

While summer is coming to an end, the efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 on Nantucket must continue and recent events underscore the need for renewed vigilance in the island community.

Two recent COVID-19 cases on Nantucket appear to be connected to a beach party attended by many young people that occurred on Monday, August 17^th. Contact tracing is underway, and we are encouraging anyone who may have attended the party to get tested at Nantucket Cottage Hospital as soon as possible.

For months now, we have urged island residents and visitors to take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on Nantucket, including wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, and hand-washing. This guidance includes refraining from gathering in large groups for parties or other festivities, which can pose a significant risk for transmission of this virus. (more…)