A Coast Guard helicopter departing from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Sunday morning was conducting general training exercises, a spokesman from station sector Southeastern New England confirmed.

The training exercises were part of a regular training regimen and not particular to preparedness for the current coronavirus pandemic, petty officer Michael Gillian said.

He said the flight departing from the hospital at approximately 10:30 Sunday morning was not a medical evacuation.

The sight of the helicopter as it few from the hospital to the airport set off a wave of speculation on the Island, where residents are under a strict stay-at-home order due to the pandemic.

But Petty Officer Gillian said the training exercise was just that.

“It’s a necessary part of operating a helicopter to do training, to be up to date with their policies and procedures and practicing routes,” he said.