News & Information
COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 11:00 a.m. September 9
- Positive tests to date: 12,935
- Deaths to date: 143
- View Kitsap Public Health's COVID-19 surveillance report - Disponible en Español
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DATA UPDATE: The rate of new cases reported per 100,000 population over 7 days. Previously, the rate was new cases per 100,000 over 14 days.
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The COVID-19 Bulletin now publishes on an occassional basis. The Bulletin will continue to highlight recovery resources for businesses and families, as well as new guidance from the state, typically once or twice each month. The COVID-19 Weekly Outlook from KPHD will continue to provide the latest public health information on the pandemic. To subscribe to the Weekly Outlook click here and select "COVID-19 updates" under Kitsap Public Health District on the menu.
Now is the time to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Visit Kitsap County Public Health at kcowa.us/vaccine and sign up for vaccine updates from Kitsap Public Health here.
¿Quieres información sobre la vacuna COVID-19? Mira nuestro pagina para mas información de la vacuna y como obtener la vacuna: https://bit.ly/2XVht0W Tambien os puede llamar nuestro linea 360-728-2218
Take the right course of action when you have symptoms of COVID-19
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home except to seek testing or medical care. Staying home when sick is vital in slowing the spread COVID-19 (or any other viruses) to other people.
Here are some symptoms of 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
Symptoms can be mild to severe, and they can appear anytime from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have symptoms, get tested!
Bainbridge Island drive thru test site opens Monday
A new community-based drive thru COVID-19 test site will open this coming Monday, September 13 at the Rolling Bay Presbyterian Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church 11042 Sunrise Dr NE, Bainbridge Island (lower parking lot). The hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Mondays.
This test site is a partnership between Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center and the City of Bainbridge Island and will begin operating Monday, September 13.
This adds to the three drive thru test sites provided by Kitsap Public Health District and the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center at the following locations:
- Bremerton Harborside Parking Garage, 100 Washington Ave., Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Grace Bible Church, 7070 Bethel Burley Rd SE, Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- City of Poulsbo Parking Garage, 200 Moe St., Thursdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Registration is recommended for all locations as on-site registration is limited. For more information, visit kcowa.us/covidtesting. Additionally, Kitsap Public Health District regularly updates the list of local test providers. Questions about test sites? Call 2-1-1.
REPORTING OVER-THE-COUNTER COVID-19 TESTS: People who test themselves at home should report their results to public health by calling the Washington State Department of Health COVID hotline (1-800-525-0127) and follow CDC recommendations for isolation or quarantine.
Does wearing a mask raise the carbon dioxide level in the air you breath?
In our last edition, we encouraged everyone to give thought to what kind of facial covering to wear in public indoor setting and crowded outdoor spaces. We noted that disposable surgical masks have proven to be a great option as they fit snugly against the sides of your face, completely covering your nose and mouth and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
Many have wondered if wearing a mask raises the carbon dioxide (C02) level in the air that you breath. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that CO2 escapes into the air through the mask when you breathe out or talk. CO2 molecules are small enough to easily pass through the mask material. In contrast, the respiratory droplets that carry the virus that causes COVID-19 are much larger than CO2, so they cannot pass as easily through a properly designed and properly worn mask.
Learn more on how to select and correctly wear a mask, as well as the best way to clean reusable masks, at this resource page from the CDC. Thanks again for doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19!
How to report COVID-19 cases at your business or organization
Kitsap Public Health District now has an online form where businesses and organizations can report one or more COVID-19 cases associated with their workplace. This web form is quick and easy to use.
Due to the high volume of cases at this time, it might take KPHD staff several days to respond. Staff prioritize returning calls to congregate living settings including long-term care facilities, healthcare offices, and organizations with two or more lab-confirmed cases.
Local businesses are required to notify KPHD if they are aware of two or more employees who develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period (per Governor Proclamations 20-25.6 and 20- 25.14). Cases reported via the online form provide situational awareness to KPHD staff and link reporting businesses and organizations to resources listed on the KPHD COVID-19 Business and Organizational Guidance page at https://kitsappublichealth.org/communityHealth/Covid-19/CoronaVirus_Businesses.php.
Breakthough cases
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that vaccine breakthrough cases are to be expected. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control. However, no vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness. Some fully vaccinated people will get sick, and some will even be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. However, the risk of infection, hospitalization, and death are all much lower in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated people.
More than 173 million people in the United States have been fully vaccinated as of August 30, 2021. Like with other vaccines, vaccine breakthrough cases will occur, even though the vaccines are working as expected. Asymptomatic infections among vaccinated people will also occur.
The CDC is currently monitoring vaccination breakthrough cases and coordinating vaccine effectiveness studies. See more information here.
New resources from Washington state
New and updated Department of Health guidance documents include:
Additional guidance documents:
Finding a COVID-19 vaccine provider
No matter where you are in Washington, the Vaccine Locator provided by Washington State Department of Health makes it easy to find and schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Homebound and need a COVID-19 vaccine?
Fill out a secure online form to let us know if you or someone you know is homebound. Your answers will allow us to connect individuals to available County and/or State Mobile Vaccine Teams.
The Thursday afternoon clinic at Bremerton Saint Michael Medical Center is open to those 12 and older. Register at: https://kphd.timetap.com/#/
Need help? Call the hotline at 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357), then press #. Language assistance is available. You can also text your zip code to 438-829 (GET VAX) or 822-862 (VACUNA) for vaccine locations near you.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at cdc.gov/coronavirus
Useful Links
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