Coronavirus

September 22, 2020

TestMV Reports One New Case Tuesday

TestMV reported one new case of Covid-19 on Tuesday, as the Island inches toward 100 total coronavirus cases since the pandemic began. Nantucket has continued to see new cases climb.

September 18, 2020

Comprehensive Coronavirus Testing, Questions and Answers

TestMV, a comprehensive coronavirus testing facility, is now open at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

September 18, 2020

Fall Travel, Testing Guidelines on Martha's Vineyard, Questions and Answers

A list of answers to frequently asked questions for fall visitors and returning residents.

September 14, 2020

One New Case on the Vineyard Monday; Nantucket Sees Surge

Island boards of health reported one new case of Covid-19 on Monday, bringing the Vineyard’s total coronavirus caseload to 96 as Nantucket continued to see a spike in cases.

September 11, 2020

Two New Cases Reported on the Vineyard Friday; Nantucket Sees a Spike

TestMV reported two new coronavirus cases on the Island Friday, bringing the total case count to four this week after a 10-day lull coming into September.

September 8, 2020

Two New Cases Reported Tuesday After Holiday Weekend

Island boards of health reported two new coronavirus cases over Labor Day weekend — breaking a weeklong caseless streak and marking the first new cases in September.

August 26, 2020

TestMV Reports One New Case, Hospital Plans for More Changes in Fall

TestMV reported one new case of Covid-19 Wednesday, marking the 13th total case on the Island this August as hospital officials planned for a changed — and potentially busier — fall season.

August 24, 2020

TestMV Begins Free Covid Testing for Children

Free coronavirus testing for children will be available effective immediately at TestMV, testing officials announced Monday, as one more person tested positive for Covid-19.

August 19, 2020

State Mandates Flu Vaccine for School Children

The Island boards of health reported two new Covid-19 patients on Wednesday. State public health officials also announced a flu vaccine requirement for students in Massachusetts.

August 19, 2020

Data Shows Island Travelers Are Complying With Massachusetts Rules

Nearly 1,700 out-of-state visitors to the Vineyard have filled out Massachusetts travel forms since they became required on August 1, newly-available data shows.

August 18, 2020

Vineyard Stays Case-Free for Five Straight Days

After five new Covid-19 cases were reported last week, Island boards of health have reported no new coronavirus cases over the weekend, Monday or on Tuesday.

August 13, 2020

Hospital Reports Another New Covid Case Thursday Morning

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported another coronavirus case on Thursday morning, marking the eighth new patient this month as officials noted an uptick in cases.

August 11, 2020

TestMV Reports Three New Covid Cases; Quest Announces Faster Results

TestMV reported three new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday and Quest Diagnostics announced faster turnaround times for testing sites nationwide, including the Vineyard.

August 11, 2020

Enhanced State Data Shows Vineyard in Low-Risk Zone for Covid

New data released by the state Department of Public Health has designated all six of the Vineyard towns as low risk for the transmission of Covid-19.

August 7, 2020

As Cases Inch Up, Governor Baker Taps the Brakes on Reopening

Citing an uptick in Covid-19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Friday that the state would pump the brakes on its slow reopening process.

August 6, 2020

Fourth Case in a Single Week Reported Thursday

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported its 40th positive Covid-19 test on Thursday, as case numbers continue to steadily climb on the Island.

August 5, 2020

Strict Out-of-State Travel Order Begins Saturday

An out-of-state travel order from Gov. Charlie Baker requires visitors from most of the country to fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form before travel and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

August 4, 2020

One New Case Reported Monday; Numbers Creep Up Around the Region

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported one new positive Covid-19 case Monday as the Vineyard entered the month of August. Cases are creeping upward regionally.

July 30, 2020

Navigating the Pandemic, From Start to Midsummer

More than 70 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus. Even more striking is how the virus has in five short months has changed nearly every aspect of life on Martha’s Vineyard.

July 29, 2020

Mass Testing on Cuttyhunk Returns All-Negative Results

All 96 residents who were tested for Covid-19 on tiny Cuttyhunk island last week have received negative test results.

July 27, 2020

Two New Covid-19 Cases Reported Over Weekend

Both TestMV and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend, bringing the total number of patients who have tested positive for the virus to 52.

July 24, 2020

TestMV Announces Delays in Results Due to Nationwide Demand

Due to a nationwide surge in demand for testing, patients will now have to wait a week or longer for results from the TestMV comprehensive coronavirus testing site.

July 24, 2020

State Intervenes With Mass Testing on Cuttyhunk

A sweeping, state-coordinated public health response has been initiated on remote Cuttyhunk after a recent spike in coronavirus cases.

July 24, 2020

Governor Baker Clamps Down on Out-of-State Travel

Gov. Charlie Baker announced further crack downs on out-of-state travel on Friday, issuing a strict travel order for visitors from most of the country.

July 23, 2020

Boards of Health Report One New Case on the Vineyard Thursday

The Martha’s Vineyard boards of health reported one new confirmed case of Covid-19 Thursday, bringing the total number of cases on the Island to 69.

July 22, 2020

TestMV Expands to Offer Online Registration

In a shift, the comprehensive coronavirus testing site TestMV will now be allowing online and same-day registration for patients, according to a press release from testing officials.

July 21, 2020

Coronavirus Cases Jump from One to Eight on Cuttyhunk

Eight individuals on Cuttyhunk have now tested positive for Covid-19 with seven coming in the past three days, prompting mandatory mask orders and fears of a broader outbreak.

July 20, 2020

Three New Covid-19 Cases Reported Over Weekend

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported two new positive tests for Covid-19 on Monday and TestMV reported one new case, marking three new confirmed PCR cases over the weekend.

July 20, 2020

Cuttyhunk Reports First Coronavirus Case, Stretching Public Health Infrastructure

Remote Cuttyhunk — a tiny dot on the far end of the Elizabeth islands chain — has reported its first case of Covid-19.

July 16, 2020

Hospital Reports One New Case Thursday

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported a new positive Covid-19 test on Thursday — the third likely symptomatic patient to test positive in the past week.

July 16, 2020

Vineyard Turns in Top Testing Rates in Region

Since the pandemic began, Martha’s Vineyard has tested 6,579 residents for the virus, more than any town on the Cape, including Barnstable, despite having a much smaller population.

July 15, 2020

Oak Bluffs Adopts Mandatory Mask Rule

Following close on the heels of Edgartown, the Oak Bluffs board of health voted to adopt a mandatory mask rule for a wide swath of the downtown area Thursday.

July 13, 2020

Case Counts Climb as Summer Crowds Swell, and Testing Keeps Pace

A recent uptick in Covid-19 case since the Fourth of July has the Vineyard on edge as high summer arrives, with nine individuals testing positive for the virus and two business closures over the past week.

July 11, 2020

Two New Cases Reported Saturday for Fourth Straight Day

A recent jump in Covid-19 cases on the Vineyard continued Saturday, with Island boards of health reporting two new positive test results for the fourth day in a row.

July 10, 2020

Two New Cases Reported Friday for Third Straight Day

For the third day in a row, Island boards of health reported two new coronavirus cases Friday — marking six new cases in the past three days and seven in the past week

July 9, 2020

Edgartown Makes Masks Mandatory For All in Downtown Area

The Edgartown board of health cracked down on mask use on Thursday, issuing an order requiring all people over the age of two to wear face coverings downtown.

July 9, 2020

Two New Cases Reported Thursday for Second Straight Day

A recent jump in Island coronavirus cases continued on Thursday, with health agents reporting two more positive tests — marking four new cases in the last two days and five since the Fourth of July.

July 9, 2020

Paycheck Protection Program Preserves Thousands of Jobs

More than 6,000 Island workers spanning nearly 900 small businesses, nonprofits and sole proprietorships had their jobs preserved through the PPP.

July 8, 2020

Two New Coronavirus Cases Reported Wednesday

Coronavirus cases continued to creep upward on Wednesday, as two more new confirmed positive Covid-19 patients were reported on the Island.

July 6, 2020

Boards of Health Report One New Case Over Holiday Weekend

The Fourth of July weekend saw one new positive test case of Covid-19 reported on the Island, as coronavirus numbers slowly inch upward with summer entering full swing.

July 6, 2020

Phase Three Reopening Sees Mixed Response on the Vineyard

Two of the Island’s four cinemas will soon be showing movies again, as the third phase of pandemic reopening begins. But many businesses are taking a more gradual approach.

July 3, 2020

Boards of Health Report One New Coronavirus Case Friday

On the eve of the July 4th holiday, Island boards of health reported one new positive test on the Vineyard, bringing the total coronavirus caseload to 53.

July 2, 2020

Big Weekend Equals Big Beach Days, and Officials Are Worried

High summer is here, and thousands are flocking to Island beaches. But the crowds have many Vineyard officials on edge.

July 2, 2020

Phase Three Reopening Begins Monday

Museums, gyms and movie theatres will be allowed to restart business on Monday as part of the third phase of the state’s gradual reopening plan.

July 1, 2020

Hospital Reports Its First Coronavirus Case in a Month

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported its first positive coronavirus case in over a month on Wednesday, with officials striking a voice of calm on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend.

June 30, 2020

Governor Baker Relaxes Quarantine Rules for Out-of-State Travelers

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that the commonwealth would relax its 14-day quarantine advisory for most out of state travelers.

June 29, 2020

Three New Cases Added to Vineyard Covid Count

Island health officials reported one new positive coronavirus patient from the TestMV site and two more who had tested positive for viral antibodies.

June 29, 2020

Antibody Testing Remains Scarce on Island

As Covid-19 testing continues to expand throughout the Island, viral serology testing — or testing for coronavirus antibodies — remains virtually non-existent.