Updated Sept. 28
Last week’s confirmed COVID case count reached single digits for the first time since early July, with only eight new cases reported by the Martha’s Vineyard boards of health. Just five weeks ago, the Island was averaging close to 14 cases a day, prompting Island boards of health to impose mandatory indoor mask mandates.
There were five cases reported at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, two at TestMV, and one from another provider. Seven are being monitored by public health officials, and one is not. Of the eight cases, five were symptomatic, and three people’s symptoms were unknown. One person was fully vaccinated, four were not vaccinated, and three had unknown vaccination status.
A year and half into the pandemic, the Island has reached 2,000 confirmed positive cases.
In total, since Sept. 22, the hospital has administered 26,000 tests, with 1,447 positive tests. The TestMV asymptomatic testing site has administered 43,462 tests, with 487 positives. The town of Aquinnah has administered 656 tests, with four positives.
So far this week, there have been no new positive cases reported.
With the number of cases so low, Tisbury health agent and boards of health spokesperson Maura Valley said the mask mandate is still in effect. “We’re going to wait and see what happens over the next week or so, and then discuss whether to lift the mask mandate and revert to a mask advisory,” Valley said.
The low number of cases comes as the state Department of Public Health authorized those over the age of 65 to get a third dose of the vaccine. Currently only those who have received the two-dose Pfizer shot are eligible for a booster shot.
Those who received Moderna shots or the Johnson & Johnson shot will likely need a booster shot. Information on those will be available in the coming weeks.
Hospital communications specialist Marissa Lefebvre said the hospital will release more information on booster shots soon. “MVH is preparing to administer Pfizer booster shots,” Lefebvre said. “We are identifying staff, securing supplies, and expect to begin giving them soon; no specific timetable yet.”
Updated to correct booster shots are only for those who have received Pfizer. —Ed.
