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 in the state’s smallest — and most remote — town.

A posting on the town of Gosnold’s website reported the spike in cases that occurred over the weekend, saying that the island board of health reported five new cases on Monday, bringing the total to eight.

Reached by telephone Monday, Cuttyhunk fire chief Seth Garfield confirmed that eight individuals residing on the Island had tested positive; five from tests conducted on-Island Friday and two from tests conducted off-Island over the weekend.

A female, seasonal resident who had spent approximately a week and a half on the Island tested positive last Wednesday, initiating a full-scale response from the state’s smallest public health infrastructure that included a shipment of tests for close contacts from the state department of public health.

The individual is now off-Island, according to selectman Gail Blout. Speaking to the Gazette from Cuttyhunk late Monday night, Ms. Blout said that four of the individuals who had tested positive were still on the Island, and included both first and second-tier contacts of the individual who tested positive Wednesday.

“We’ve talked to the families. There are some families who have indicated they may want to go off island, and there are some families who have indicated they may want to quarantine here,” Ms. Blout said.

The town has a selectmen’s meeting scheduled for Friday, but Ms. Blout said an emergency, townwide gathering would be held outdoors Tuesday afternoon to disseminate information and address concerns from residents.

“I think people are concerned,” Ms. Blout said. “We shouldn’t wait. We need to meet immediately.”

Mr. Garfield confirmed on Monday that no patients are currently hospitalized.

Gosnold is the seventh and smallest town in Dukes County, encompassing all of the Elizabeth islands chain. Cuttyhunk is the only public Island in the chain, which has a year-round population in the dozens and a summer population that officials currently estimate at around 250.

The island has no full-time doctor or hospital, and is only accessible via passenger ferry. During summer, a rotation of 10 doctors each stay for one week, meaning there is only one doctor on the island at a time.

The Cuttyhunk harbor is a popular stopping-off point for recreational boaters and bass fishermen looking to transit the Vineyard Sound.

Mr. Garfield said on Monday that the town had tested 25 close contacts of the patient who tested positive earlier in the week. The tests were conducted on Friday. Five of those tests came back positive on Monday, Mr. Garfield said.

In an email blast that went out to Cuttyhunk residents and was provided to the Gazette, as well as posted on the town website, selectmen urged caution for remaining residents. They have instituted a mandatory, island-wide mask requirement for anyone leaving their house and increased signs, according to the posting. Selectmen are advising families with positive patients to quarantine if they remain on Cuttyhunk.

“We ask parents and children to take all precautions required,” the statement reads in part. “The doctor of the week has been advised. More testing may be available at the end of the week provided by the Mass Department of Public Health. Our tests are being fast tracked due to our fragile community.”

The board of selectmen, who are also the board of health, held a meeting Monday afternoon to discuss the next steps in relation to the virus. Mr. Garfield said health officials at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital have been notified of the situation as well.

The posting from selectmen Monday outlined a temporary, complex process for individuals who test positive and wish to leave Cuttyhunk, including cordoning off sections of passenger boats, informing all captains of individuals who have tested positive, and requiring patients to wear a full-body protective suit provided by Mr. Garfield.

Neither Cuttyhunk ferry provides car service.

“Should you test positive, you must notify the ferry and the Seahorse [an 18-passenger water taxi that services Cuttyhunk and Menemsha out of New Bedford],” the posting reads. “Should you choose to leave the Island, they require 24-hour notice to make arrangements for your passage. Also confirmation by island doctor that no active symptoms are present is required. Also you will need to wear a full PPE suit and gloves. Please contact Seth Garfield for this equipment. A cordoned-off area will be designated on the boats. This is per Coast Guard regulation and CDC to whole your name must be reported by captains. The board of health will also report positive test results to the captains.”

Meanwhile, the island’s one church closed for the first time on Sunday because of health-related concerns, while other establishments have shuttered on an island already known for social distancing.

Mr. Garfield said the town was deciding on Monday whether to require individuals who test positive to leave the island, and that officials were working on getting more tests for other contacts.

“We are having that major discussion right now at the public health meeting,” Mr. Garfield said.

Ms. Blout said the town hoped to receive tests for further contacts from the state by the end of the week as well. Selectmen had not yet discussed shutting down the Island, Ms. Blout said.

“That will probably be discussed at the selectmen’s meeting Friday,” Ms. Blout said.