COVID-19
The latest news, resources & information about COVID-19 on Martha’s Vineyard
LATEST NEWS
COVID-19 Testing at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School
To make an appointment:
(877) 336-9855
To volunteer to help with testing, send us an email:
No-cost, drive-thru diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is now available for any asymptomatic Islander or visitor who wants a test.
Testing is by appointment only. Everyone must pre-register.
To make an appointment, call (877) 336-9855 Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM, or register online through our MyQuest portal.
TestMV is now open for re-testing as well. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the virus, or those employees with a high volume of public contact should consider re-testing. Please check with your insurance provider or employer to ensure a second or subsequent tests are covered.
NOTE: Due to the high demand for COVID-19 testing nationwide, TestMV asymptomatic patients had recently received results in seven or more days. Given increased capacity at the Quest lab in Marlborough as well as innovations in pool testing, turnaround times (TAT) for results are now averaging five days.
According to an August 4 Quest press release: “…we have recently increased capacity through several lab innovations. These include the use of specimen pooling, which is now in place at three of our laboratories, and improvements in RNA specimen extraction. We have also expanded our lab referral network to include a half dozen laboratories to facilitate greater access to COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing.
“We now have capacity to perform 150,000 COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests a day. We expect to expand capacity further to 185,000 tests per day by Labor Day, with further gains possible.
“We expect this week to be the third consecutive week in which our capacity will exceed test orders, a pattern we have not seen since early June. The combination of growing capacity coupled with plateauing demand is translating into faster turnaround times for our COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing.
“As a result, for all patients, the average turnaround time is 5 days and is expected to be 3 days by next week. For our priority 1 patients, the average turnaround time is 2 days and is expected to be 1 day by the end of this week or early next week.”
Results will be delivered as soon as possible through the MyQuest and FollowMyHealth patient portals, direct text, or phone message
Martha's Vineyard COVID-19 Statistics
Here are the latest statistics on positive COVID-19 cases on Martha’s Vineyard.
PCR Positive Tests
22 Male
34 Female
Age Range:
<20:
20-29:
30-39:
40-49:
50-59:
60-69:
>70:
8
13
6
3
15
8
3
17 Antibody Positive
3 Symptomatically Positive
8 Male
12 Female
Age Range:
<20:
20-29:
30-39:
40-49:
50-59:
60-69:
>70:
2
3
0
3
4
7
1
MVRHS Drive-Thru Test Site Results
Here are the latest cumulative results from the COVID-19 drive-thru test site at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
MV Hospital Test Results
Here are the latest cumulative COVID-19 test results from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Town of Aquinnah Test Results
Here are the latest cumulative COVID-19 test results from the town of Aquinnah.
Source: Martha's Vineyard Boards of Health, MV HOSPITAL, Town of Aquinnah
Last updated at 4:30pm, August 7, 2020
*Each positive test does not necessarily represent a newly infected individual. For example, a positive test reported on July 1, 2020 by Martha's Vineyard Hospital was a second test for an individual who had previously tested positive. The Total Cases number reflects the most current accounting of unique individuals with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on Martha's Vineyard.
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 High School.
You must be asymptomatic and at least 18 years old.
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 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 high school 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.
Should I be tested for COVID-19 even if I feel fine? Why?
All asymptomatic islanders and visitors are encouraged to be tested.
Data show that a significant percentage of individuals infected with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic. Widespread testing helps public health officials to identify those who may unknowingly be spreading the disease and prevent or contain potential outbreaks.
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 or motorcycle?
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?
Results for TestMV asymptomatic patients will be available in approximately 5 days. First responders and health care workers can expect results within 1-2 days.
Results will be delivered as soon as possible through the MyQuest and FollowMyHealth patient portals, direct text, or phone message. We will update this page with any changes.
What happens if I test negative?
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?
What if I had an antibody test that showed I had COVID-19?
When will antibody tests be available on the Island?
COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Symptoms of The Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Fever
- 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?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, and to minimize contact with others if you are sick.
The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Here’s how to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Put distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other people outside of your home.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others (you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick).