(Oct. 2, 2020) A coronavirus-positive patient on Nantucket died Friday, Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the Nantucket Health Department announced this evening.
“A patient diagnosed with COVID-19 has died on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. We want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of this patient. While respecting patient confidentiality, we also want to convey that the Town of Nantucket and Nantucket Cottage Hospital is focused on providing the best services and care for every resident and patient,” the joint statement posted on social media read.
Nantucket health director Roberto Santamaria said the patient was one of those diagnosed in the recent spike of cases on the island that began last Friday. No additional information will be released until the next of kin are notified, he added.
“Today’s news should also serve as a somber reminder to the island community that we must continue to take this situation extremely seriously, take every precaution, and continue to adhere to the orders put in place by the Town of Nantucket to protect the island. Let us all work together to stop the spread and have a safe fall and winter season,” the statement read.
The death was the second on the island related to coronavirus since the pandemic began in mid-March. The other was a man in his mid-80s with preexisting medical conditions who died April 5 at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Five new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Nantucket Friday, and 43 in the past eight days. Eighty-six cases have been reported on the island since Sept. 9, when Nantucket experienced its first real spike of the pandemic.
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