The Town of Nantucket and Nantucket Cottage Hospital are collaborating to expand the island’s COVID-19 testing capacity ahead of the summer season.

This new public-private collaboration between the town, the hospital, and island employers, will enhance Nantucket’s community COVID-19 surveillance testing capability by expanding testing to asymptomatic individuals. The goal is to test those without symptoms, identify and isolate new cases of COVID-19, and then conduct contact tracing. These are the most effective tools currently available to control the spread of the virus in the community, along with everyday preventative actions like physical distancing, wearing face coverings in public when distancing is not possible, hand hygiene, vigilant disinfecting of much-used surfaces and staying home when you feel sick.

Priorities for testing will be set by the Town of Nantucket Health Department, starting with first responders and essential workers in industries with a high volume of personal interactions. Testing will focus on those most at risk for exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 in the island population, with the highest prioritization given to home health aides, grocery and convenience store workers, clergy, and the transportation workforce. Initial testing of high priority individuals will be conducted by invitation from the Health Department. (more…)

This attestation form is applicable to acute care hospitals and must be completed prior to performing Phase 2 services and procedures as defined in Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Reopen Approach for Acute Care Hospitals guidance Phase 2: Cautious Guidance. 

For more information:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Reopening website

As I was driving to the Minneapolis airport last week to return to Nantucket, I could see a car burning on a freeway entry ramp and smoke rising from the downtown area as a result of the unrest following the tragic and needless death of George Floyd.

What I saw passing through Minneapolis and in the news images of protests from across the country over the past week have been stark reminders of how much work is left to be done to confront and eliminate racism and support marginalized people in our society. Medical organizations across the country, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians, have recognized that racism is a public health issue.

I echo the recent sentiments shared by Anne Klibanski, President and CEO of Mass General Brigham, and Peter Slavin, President and CEO of Massachusetts General Hospital on these issues. I want Nantucket Cottage Hospital to join with our colleagues across the system in examining the challenges of systemic racism in our own health system, and to lead by example and actions. I agree wholeheartedly that we can confront racism only when our colleagues and patients of color feel fully seen, heard and appreciated for the value that they bring every single day to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.  We are part of a healthcare system that is committed to ending suffering, but it’s important that we recognize that we can and must do more to ensure equity in providing care to all residents of the island community. (more…)

Key Takeaways

• Ask loved ones about their appetites, sleep patterns and moods to find red flags
• Find creative ways to connect while still being physically apart
• Arrange a few unprompted acts of kindness

The geriatric population, those who are 65 years and older, has been widely noted as among the most at risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. Physical distancing has been the critical measure in the prevention and spread of infection within this age group.

However, while the physical health of the geriatric population has certainly been a topic of discussion during the COVID-19 pandemic, how has this period of isolation impacted the mental well-being of these individuals?

“Loneliness amongst the older population will be a much more insidious cause of casualty than we previously realized,” says Matthew L Russell, MD, a geriatrician and palliative care specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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