Learn more about how contact tracing works to contain the spread of coronavirus on Nantucket.

Among the best tools we have to contain the spread of the coronavirus on Nantucket are case investigation and contact tracing. These are proven methods used by health departments across the world to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Contact tracing works by identifying confirmed cases of COVID-19 and interviewing the patient to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact during the timeframe while they may have been infectious. These close contacts are then warned of their potential exposure, provided education, information and support to understand their risk, encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, and given instructions to prevent further spread.

Contact tracing is initiated for every confirmed case of COVID-19 on Nantucket. This work is spearheaded by the Town of Nantucket Health Department, which contracts with Nantucket Cottage Hospital to conduct case investigation and contact tracing. Elizabeth Harris, the infection prevention manager at NCH, has been the lead case investigator and contact tracer for the island’s COVID-19 cases.

Below are some core principles of contact tracing and frequently asked questions to help the community better understand this process: (more…)

Nantucket Cottage Hospital patient Caitlin Marcoux recently shared her story of choosing NCH for her surgery and the care she received: 

“Dear friends, I’m safe and sound and convalescing at home. Surgery went well and I now the proud owner of a plate and 8 screws; fortifying my left clavicle ? Thank you for all the positive vibes ✨ prayers ?? and peace ? I’m so glad I chose to do this surgery and to do it here. The team of nurses at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital are FABULOUS, kind and open-hearted. I woke up in the middle of the night fretting about my decision to remain on-island and began doubting the skill and efficiency of our “cottage” hospital, but I have zero retreats now. I was treated with tenderness and compassion and didn’t feel alone at any time. Hats off to my awesome anesthesiologist who kept my nausea and vomiting to a minimum. Thank you to my pre-op and post-op nurses for taking such good care of me. ? And of course thank you to Dr. Monto and his assistant Abby, who have been on top of their game from the start. Now back to my cocoon of pain management and rest. ?.”

Thanks for sharing, Caitlin! Feel better.

Watch this video from Nantucket Magazine and Yellow Productions featuring portraits of NCH staff members. Read the full story from the July issue of Nantucket Magazine by clicking here.

The summer has arrived on Nantucket. As President and CEO of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, I want to take this opportunity to praise the shared sacrifices the community has made since March to keep the coronavirus at bay, but also urge everyone on the island to stay vigilant in the weeks and months ahead.

On Monday, June 22, Nantucket Cottage Hospital reported the first new confirmed case of COVID-19 on the island in more than month, and we have had three more additional people test positive since then. I think this should be a reminder that as much as we want to be done with this virus, it is not yet done with us.

Now is the riskiest time for Nantucket, as we have not had a surge or significant caseload as other parts of the country have, and the island population is increasing. After the months of stay-at-home orders and restrictions on activity, we all want to enjoy the summer, socialize, and have our local businesses recover. We can do all of this, but on behalf of my team at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, I urge you to do it safely and responsibly. We should expect that there will be more cases this summer, but there are things we all can do to prevent them from spreading more widely in the community.

Governor Charlie Baker has ordered everyone in Massachusetts over the age of two to wear a face covering or mask in public places where maintaining proper physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are not possible. Locally, the Nantucket Board of Health this week approved an emergency order requiring masks or face coverings in the downtown historic district and in Sconset at all times, indoors or outside, regardless of distancing. These are sensible orders, backed-up by scientific studies, and something we all can do.

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