Updated 11/3
The Edgartown courthouse opened on Wednesday, Nov. 2, after being closed Monday, Oct. 31, and Tuesday, Nov. 1, due to an unspecified number of personnel testing positive for COVID-19, according to a notice taped to the building’s door window. The notification stated the courthouse would reopen on Wednesday after it has been disinfected, and The Times confirmed it did indeed reopen.
While the courthouse was closed, restraining orders and emergency commitments were made through local police departments.
The courthouse closing also affected the Dukes County Registry of Deeds. The registry, which handles land transactions in the county, was able to process documents filed electronically as planned. However, if someone is closing on a property that is registered land (properties with titles certified by the state), Dukes County Register of Deeds Paulo DeOliveira said, only some registries are set up to receive those documents electronically and Dukes County is not one of them.
Dukes County Superior Court Clerk George Davis said October proceedings wrapped up Friday, so the shutdown has not affected any cases.
Tisbury health agent Maura Valley said while she still hears people reporting positive cases of COVID, the numbers are staying steady. “We’re staying right in the mid-level,” Valley said.
However, there is uncertainty about the number of cases on the Island, because so many people test at home and do not report to the boards of health, which “we encourage … but it’s not mandatory.” Currently, other illnesses such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) add to public health concerns. Valley told The Times that she will continue to monitor the trend for COVID case counts.
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital spokesperson Marissa Lefebvre could not immediately comment on the number of people seeking COVID tests at the hospital, but said she would check and get back to The Times.
Updated with a clarification from Paulo DeOliveira.