The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Island boards of health reported no new coronavirus cases Sunday.
To date there are 27 confirmed laboratory cases and four presumed positive cases as a result of antibody tests, for a total of 31 cases Islandwide.
As of Sunday morning the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital had completed 681 tests with 25 positives, 642 negatives and 14 pending. Two additional laboratory tests that were done off-Island make 27, plus the four presumed positives.
Statewide Sunday the Department of Public health reported 1,077 new cases and 92 new deaths from the virus.
The state is also tracking a seven-day rolling average, which was 1,174 as of Sunday, and the percentage of tests that come back positive, which was around 8.5 per cent as of Sunday.
The detailed metrics are all expected to be factors when Gov. Charlie Baker announces the much-anticipated details of a four-phase reopening plan for the commonwealth on Monday.
All state residents have been under a stay-at-home advisory since March.
Memorial Day is next weekend, the traditional start of summer on the Vineyard, and the Island remains in a state of semi-shutdown. Work has resumed on outdoor construction and landscaping sites with strict rules for distancing and hygiene. Grocery stores and farm stands have remained open throughout the pandemic, and a growing number of restaurants are reopening, although all are still restricted to takeout or curbside service.
Considered non-essential businesses under the stay-at-home advisory, most retail shops are closed. Government offices and public schools are closed, with students attending online classes and elected officials conducting business by videoconference. Annual town meetings are scheduled to take place in June at tented outdoor sites.
Memorial Day parades and picnics have been canceled.
A new comprehensive testing program for the Vineyard announced Friday is expected to begin ramping up this week. Spearheaded by the head of Quest Diagnostics and Island health care, a federally qualified health center in Edgartown, the public-private initiative will make free testing available at a drive-through site at the regional high school. Organizers plan to have the project up and running by May 28 and keep it open through Labor Day.
Testing will be done by appointment, beginning with emergency and front-line workers, eventually including all Islanders who want to be tested. All forms of health insurance cover coronavirus testing at no cost, but free testing will offered to individuals with no insurance too, thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank.
The hospital, which currently operates the only laboratory testing facility on the Island for Covid-19, is not a partner but fully backs the new project.
Comments
Comment policy »