*please note clarification below at end of letter

On behalf of everyone at the Town of Nantucket, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, we hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. As you consider a return to the island we wanted to reach out to our seasonal residents with some guidance and best practices to ensure that the summer will be as safe as possible for everyone on Nantucket.

While you have been away, much has transpired on the island. Early in January Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the Town of Nantucket leadership initiated their planning and response to the coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. In a sweeping effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 on the island, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the Town of Nantucket government departments, and State leaders led major initiatives to protect the health of Nantucket residents.

The really good news: Spring is here, flowers abound, your homes wait for your return, and so far, the island has largely been spared from the catastrophic spread of COVID-19. As an island community we have been successful in limiting the extent of the impact of the coronavirus on Nantucket by implementing early and vigilant physical distancing measures, as well as the collective actions of our citizens, and the relative isolation of our island. However, we are concerned that could change when our population increases going into the summer.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our country and the world, The Birthplace at Nantucket Cottage Hospital is working hard to ensure your health and provide all of our patients exceptional care while at the same time minimizing risk of COVID-19 spread.  We are fortunate that Nantucket has had only a small number of COVID-19 cases to date, but we must remain vigilant in our prevention methods until we reach a point when it is safe to start to remove precautions. For our pregnant patients and new mothers, we are committed to having the best balance possible between the essential care needed for your pregnancy and keeping you, your family, and our health care workers as safe as possible.  We would like to update you on several new policies at the hospital that are related to pregnancy care:

The Nantucket Cottage Hospital Environmental Services Department has acquired and is testing a new UVC disinfection robot that can help reduce healthcare associated infections, and will specifically assist with our COVID-19 response moving forward to ensure a safe patient care environment.

The robot uses powerful short wavelength ultraviolet-C lights to destroy any microorganisms exposed to it, and will be used in conjunction with the EVS team’s typical cleaning protocols for patient rooms to ensure nothing is missed. This new equipment was purchased with money from the Hospital Thrift Shop’s annual gift to the hospital. Thank you to the Hospital Thrift Shop team!

(April 22, 2020) The Boston Pops on Nantucket is a beloved tradition for the island community that brings so many people together and is a critical source of support for Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

After careful consideration and with public health as our top priority, Nantucket Cottage Hospital has made the decision that we will not be able to gather on Jetties Beach for the 2020 Boston Pops on Nantucket as originally planned this August due to the precautions like physical distancing that are imperative to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

So while we already know this year will not look like the Pops concerts of years past, it’s important that we don’t give up on this wonderful event. Extraordinary times offer us an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the heart of Nantucket.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital will reimagine the Boston Pops on Nantucket in 2020 and deliver a special experience that celebrates the hospital, our brave healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers across the island. The event will still bring our community and the hospital’s steadfast supporters together virtually, in way that complies with the best practices we have learned for keeping our island healthy.

“In keeping with the tradition of the Boston Pops on Nantucket, our objective for this year’s reimagined event is to make the evening accessible and fun for all islanders in appreciation for the caring and concern the whole community demonstrated in protecting and helping our neighbors,” said Courtney O’Neill, Vice President of Community Relations and Development at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital will share these plans with the community as soon as possible, and will provide further details as we secure commitments from the talent that will be involved and structure a truly enjoyable experience for all islanders.

More than ever, the hospital needs to rally the support of the community to help fund its operations, so we are asking our supporters to continue their generous commitments and to consider participating as sponsors of this reimagined special event. The funds raised will allow us to continue to respond to this unparalleled challenge in the most effective way possible, and help our hospital emerge with the financial foundation and professional staffing capability we need to continue to provide excellent care for all.

Expanding telemedicine during the coronavirus pandemic
Your health and wellness remain our highest priority as we navigate these challenging times and continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Our doctors and medical providers are leveraging technology to see patients, conducting Telemedicine visits via video, phone, and through the Patient Gateway app, based on your needs during your visit, and the technology resources available to you.

Telemedicine visits are available with NCH providers across many departments, including:

• Primary care for new and established patients seeking annual wellness checks or sick visits
• Specialty physician visits
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
• Nutrition consults
• Same-day/next-day appointments for urgent health issues

Read more about telemedicine by clicking here.