We want to share an important message with the island community. Over the past 72 hours we have seen a spike in cases of COVID-19. These individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 have all been notified and contact tracing is in progress. We ask that if you receive a phone call from a contact tracer, that you answer their questions thoroughly and truthfully, cooperate with the case investigation, and comply with all isolation and quarantine procedures. Contact tracing is among the strongest tools we have to prevent the spread of the virus in our population.

However, we also want to emphasize that the island is now experiencing community spread of the coronavirus. This morning, the Nantucket Health Department reported that 12 of the 14 new cases are individuals who live on Nantucket. The majority of the those who have tested positive work in the trades, including landscaping, construction, carpentry and painting, as well as cleaning, and are travelling to workplaces together. This is an important reminder to enforce COVID-19 protocols at job sites and businesses.

Now is the time for everyone on Nantucket take personal responsibility and to do your part to keep our island safe. It takes the whole community to do this. We are asking Nantucketers to recommit to the precautions and safety measures that we know have worked over the spring and summer. Maintain vigilance and wear a mask when you go out in public. Continue physical distancing and hand-washing as much as possible. We are asking you to avoid large gatherings with people who you do not live with, and stay home when possible. Let’s all cheer for the Patriots on Sunday, but we ask you to do so with your immediate families rather than gathering in large groups or parties to watch the game. (more…)

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.