Two recent COVID-19 cases on Nantucket appear to have stemmed from a beach party held last week, prompting local health experts to renew calls for the island to remain vigilant in batting the virus in the waning days of summer.
In a joint statement Monday, the Nantucket Health Department and Nantucket Cottage Hospital said “many young people” attended the Aug. 17 party. Workers are now performing contact tracing, and officials are urging anyone who attended the event to get tested for the coronavirus at the hospital.
“This type of irresponsible behavior during the pandemic threatens the relative safety our island community has enjoyed over the past six months during this public health crisis,” the statement reads. “So, the Town of Nantucket Health Department and Nantucket Cottage Hospital once again ask everyone on the island to continue taking precautions and remain vigilant in our community’s collective efforts to prevent the spread of this virus.”
Public and hospital officials say they’ve urged residents and visitors to Nantucket alike to take “reasonable precautions” to prevent virus spread for months, including practicing physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, mask wearing, and refraining from gathering in large groups.
“While summer is coming to an end, the efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 on Nantucket must continue and recent events underscore the need for renewed vigilance in the island community,” the statement reads.
As of Aug. 19, Nantucket had recorded a total of 34 coronavirus cases since the pandemic’s onset.
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