Martha’s Vineyard Hospital officials are warning Islanders to remain safe as the hospital experiences a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases.

Despite lower infection rates and fewer severe cases, the Covid pandemic has remained a thorn in the side of Island organizers.

While continuing to monitor the Covid pandemic and prepare for future health crises, Island health officials have one major thing going for them they did not have prior to March of 2020: experience.

Covid-19 case numbers have increased sharply on the Vineyard, prompting public health officials to issue advisories this week.

Martha’s Vineyard towns are issuing indoor mask advisories as a public health precaution, as Covid cases spike upwards again due to the highly transmissible BA.2 coronavirus variant.

Martha’s Vineyard is currently classified as high risk for Covid-19, with case counts on the rise and one person hospitalized with the virus as of Monday, the Island boards of health reported.

The Covid-19 risk level was elevated from low to medium on Martha’s Vineyard this week amid a steady rise in cases.

Cases of Covid-19 saw another sharp uptick on the Vineyard this week, with some confusion around the risk level on the Island due to over-the-counter (OTC) testing.

The Steamship Authority announced Wednesday that it would stop requiring require masks on board ferries or shuttle buses. The announcement follows an update from the U.S. Coast Guard.