Island boards of health reported eight new coronavirus cases Wednesday, while Tisbury and Chilmark joined three other towns in approving strict construction guidelines.
Island boards of health reported eight new coronavirus cases Wednesday and Tisbury and Chilmark joined three other towns in approving strict construction guidelines as case numbers continued to grow on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday.
In a daily case update, health agents reported that eight new patients had tested positive for the virus Wednesday, seven from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and one from TestMV, bringing the Island total to 278 confirmed laboratory positive cases. Thirty-eight cases have been reported since last Friday.
One patient is currently hospitalized with the virus, according to a 3 p.m. update from the hospital. In an email to the Gazette, hospital operations officer and head nurse Claire Seguin confirmed that the patient was hospitalized on Thursday, Nov. 19 and would be discharged soon.
The hospital, which is testing symptomatic patients and their close contacts for the virus, has now had 198 patients test positive. Another 85 patients have tested positive at TestMV, which is focused on asymptomatic testing.
More than half the positive cases have occurred in the past month, accounting for the first surge in coronavirus cases on the Island. Case numbers have also grown statewide, and continue to break record daily highs nationally.
The CDC, state Department of Public Health and Island hospital and health officials have urged residents not to travel during the holiday.
Both Tisbury and Chilmark joined Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury in unanimously approving new rules for the construction industry that limit job-sites to ten workers, require masks at all times and in vehicles, and require sites to have a safety officer answerable to enforcement agents.
The approval by Tisbury and Chilmark boards of health officially certifies the new regulations in all Island towns except tiny Aquinnah.
At the Chilmark meeting Wednesday night, selectmen thanked health agents for acting swiftly to introduce the new guidelines after noticing a large number of cases among tradespeople on the Island. They also noted that Islandwide compliance would be crucial.
“The nice thing about adopting these regulations put all the towns in unison,” board of health member Katie Carroll said.
With five towns now on-board, selectmen agreed that enforcement would have to be strong as well.
“I want everyone to know that you have the support of the selectmen in enforcing this,” selectman James Malkin said. “We can’t fool around with this. We have to be serious.”
State case numbers were not available as of 5:45 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Comments
Your story highlights the
Brian C. Smith OAK BLUFFSYour story highlights the numerator without detailing the denominator. Tests are increasing thus positive cases are increasing but the rate of infection for those being tested is still around 99.99% negative. The sky is not falling, most of us will be fine. The elderly and those with pre-existing conditions should be very careful but let's not defy the facts and science. Most of us are very safe.
Fairly stated. However, the
David Thompson Vineyard HavenFairly stated. However, the extensive testing that has been done here enabled the contact tracing that has allowed the BOHs to keep the transmission rate where it is. We are all only safe as long as clusters of transmission are quickly contained. Would also suggest that reported only reflect a fraction of actual, (only the symptomatic) cases. Not a time to let our vigilance down.
I would like to know the rate
Fred4Peace VH/CTI too would like to know the rate of infection, not simply the number infected. However, if you lost a loved one to this disease, I think you might differ in you belief of its importance and human toll regardless of the rate.
Supreme Court just ruled the
Up island resident West fisburySupreme Court just ruled the same rules must be applied to all industries. Making harsher restrictions on the construction trades, no matter what the intentions are, seems like a violation of the equal protection and due process clause.
The Supreme Court decision
Adam Brown KatamaThe Supreme Court decision yesterday was focused entirely on the constitutional free exercise of the religion in houses of worship. It said nothing whatsoever about for profit enterprises being treated equally.
Up Island Resident: you may
Down Island EdgartownUp Island Resident: you may want to actually read the SCOTUS opinion before you opine: the SCOTUS opinion was based on an infringement of the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment and NOT either Equal Protection or Due Process clauses. As such the opinion has no applicability to the rights or obligations of the construction trade and any supposed “discrimination” (“the same rules must be applied ... .).
We have had 6 subcontracted
Gary Maynard West TisburyWe have had 6 subcontracted workers test positive in the past two weeks. Thankfully we have been strictly following recommended protocol and have not had any jobsite transmission. We construction professionals have the opportunity to be leaders in our community instead of complaining about the unfairness of a few simple recommendations that cost little in time, effort or convenience. Why not just do the right thing and save that one person in a thousand?
OSHA can fine us $100,000 if a worker gets hurt because we don’t have a guard on a cordless grinder. To me, that’s a much bigger concern than simply putting on a mask at work.
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