COVID-19
The latest news, resources & information about COVID-19 on Martha’s Vineyard
LATEST NEWS
TestMV Is Closed As Of March 31, 2022; MV Hospital Will Now Provide PCR Tests & Vaccines
As of March 31, 2022, the TestMV Covid-19 test site at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall is closed. Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will provide all future Covid-19 PCR testing for the Island.
Visit MV Hospital’s Covid-19 testing information page to learn how to make an appointment to be tested.
MV Hospital also serves as the Island’s central vaccination site for Covid-19. Visit the MV Hospital website to make an appointment.
Need a rapid test or mask? Island Health Care is distributing free test kits and N95/KN95 masks to patients at the clinic. Stop by during clinic hours to pick yours up! If you are not an IHC patient, both tests and masks are available at your local Board of Health.
Martha's Vineyard COVID-19 Statistics
Here are the latest statistics on positive COVID-19 cases on Martha’s Vineyard.
Source: Martha's Vineyard Boards of Health
Updated every weekday (Last update: 3:00PM, September 2, 2022)
Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get tested?
You need to register to make an appointment. You can call 877-336-9855, where there are also Portuguese-speaking agents. Or, you can register online through our MyQuest portal (English only). Online registration may allow you to make a same-day appointment if there is space available. In fact, you can drive to the test site and register there for same-day appointments if you have a smartphone or digital device. In both cases, you will be given a date and time to appear at the test site at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall.
How much does the test cost?
There is no out-of-pocket cost to you. All insurance providers are required by law to cover the cost of the test. If you do not have insurance, there are other programs to make sure the test is cost-free.
Is this an antibody test?
This is a test for active COVID-19 virus. It is not an antibody test.
What do I need when I call for an appointment?
Whether you call or register online, you will need to provide the carrier name and member number for your insurance provider.
If you don’t have insurance, you can provide your Social Security number.
If you don’t have a Social Security number, you can still be tested.
You will also be asked for your email and reliable phone number that you will answer when we call.
NOTE: If you are uninsured and/or you don’t have a Social Security number, you may be prevented from registering online. However, you can still register by calling 877-336-9855.
What do I need when I arrive at the test site?
Please bring some form of a photo ID. That can be your driver’s license, passport, photocopy of your passport, state-issued photo ID, school ID, or work ID.
Can I just drive up and Be Tested That Day?
Yes, if there are timeslots available. However, you still need to complete the online registration process onsite via your smartphone or other internet-enabled device. As a result, it may be easier to register online before you arrive. Same-day appointments are only available via online registration; it is not possible to make a same-day appointment over the phone.
What if I’m walking or on my bike?
No problem. Walk-up appointments are available via both the call center and the online registration system. Again, if you arrive at the site seeking a same-day appointment, you will need to complete the online registration process onsite via your smartphone or other internet-enabled device.
How does the test work?
When will I get results?
Your results should be available within 24-to-48 hours, but there is no guarantee that results will be reported within a specific timeframe. There are a number of circumstances that may delay results, including a surge of COVID-19 tests that slow down the lab.
How Will I Be Notified?
If your results are negative and you registered through the call center, you will receive a text.
If your results are negative and you registered through MyQuest, you will receive an email to the email address that you used to create your MyQuest account.
If your results are positive, you will receive a call from a Nurse Practitioner.
We STRONGLY encourage you to create a MyQuest account at so that you will receive your results as soon as they are available. This is the fastest way to get your results.
- Please note that you MUST create a separate account for each person who was tested—you cannot view results or schedule appointments for more than one person per account.
- If you registered for your appointment through MyQuest, you can use your login information for the MyQuest App or the MyQuest website.
What happens if I test negative?
A negative test result only indicates that on the day you were tested, you did not have a detectable amount of the virus. It does not mean you cannot get the virus. And you should continue to follow the best public health advice to stay safe: keep six feet away from others, wear a mask when you cannot, and wash your hands frequently.
What happens if I test positive?
If you test positive, you will be called by a medical provider and then followed up by a contact tracer or your local Board of Health. They will answer your questions and guide you through the required minimum of 10 days of isolation. During this period, you cannot leave your home except to seek medical care.
We will also ask for the names of your close contacts to both trace and contain the virus. Testing for COVID-19 will be recommended to these contacts, and they will need to be quarantined for a minimum 14 days.
Your information will remain strictly confidential and treated in the same way as a private medical record. In addition, your name and information will not be shared with any contacts or other agencies, including immigration.
The contract tracer, likely to be either a public health nurse or a member of your Board of Health, will answer all your questions and concerns, and help make any necessary arrangements for food or supplies.
Will my Primary Care Provider be notified of my test results?
Can I get repeated tests?
Can teenagers or children get tested for COVID-19?
How do I make an appointment for my children?
Can an adult other than the parent / guardian accompany the minor being tested?
Can teenagers be tested on their own, without an adult?
Can my three kids be tested on the same day?
How does the test get administered to children?
How will I get the test results?
Parents with more than one child getting tested together on one day will get an identical negative text/robocall identifying each child. You will receive a live phone call for a particular child or children who test positive. A public health nurse or board of health member will then walk you through next steps and answer your questions.
Vaccines: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an appointment?
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital serves as the Island’s central vaccination site for COVID-19. Visit the MV Hospital website to make an appointment.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
It may hurt a little where you got the shot. You may also be tired, get a fever, and have head or body aches. These side effects are good! They are signs that the vaccine is working and your body is building immunity. Very rarely, a person has an allergic reaction to the vaccine right after getting it. To keep these people safe, healthcare providers have patients wait 15-30 minutes before leaving the vaccination area.
Can the vaccine give me or my family COVID-19?
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines being used in the United States have live viruses, so they can’t give you the disease. And because you won’t have the live virus, you can’t give it to your family.
I already had COVID-19. Do I still need the vaccine?
Who pays for the COVID-19 vaccine? What if I am uninsured?
Is there anything else I should know?
For a more detailed set of FAQs on the COVID-19 vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control, click here.
COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Symptoms of The Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported—ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
What Should I Do If I'm Sick?
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call Island Health Care (or your primary healthcare provider) immediately. IHC patients should call 508-939-9358.
If you are sick with symptoms of respiratory illness, stay home except to get medical care.
IHC patients who have a medical appointment should call us ahead of time if you are experiencing these symptoms, or if you have traveled abroad recently. Do not arrive at IHC in person without calling first; otherwise, you may put others at risk for exposure or infection.
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Notify the dispatch personnel if you are experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.
How Can I Protect Myself & Prevent Spread of COVID-19?
Here’s how to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus:
- Get vaccinated. Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19. Once you are fully vaccinated, you may be able to start doing some things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
- Wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings; however, in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
- Put distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other people outside of your home. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters puts you at higher risk for COVID-19. Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.
- Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not
readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%
alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.