This newsletter is produced weekly. For daily COVID-19 updates, go to kcowa.us/covid19. You can manage your subscriptions using the links at the very bottom of this bulletin.
Sports-related outbreaks reinforce need for diligence; KPHD transitioning to weekly data reporting
State and local health departments are tracking outbreaks connected to wrestling tournaments
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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported multi-county COVID-19 outbreaks this week linked to large high school wrestling tournaments. The tournaments involved teams from several counties, including Kitsap. The number of cases connected to these events statewide continues to grow. At least three cases have been confirmed as Omicron. This state media briefing provides additional details.
In response to these outbreaks, the state strengthened its COVID-19 testing requirements for indoor and high-contact sports and activities. In addition, DOH wants to remind everyone of existing requirements for K-12 sporting events that help keep athletes, staff, and families safer:
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All indoor event spectators must wear masks and should distance from other families or households to the degree possible.
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Mask wearing is required among all athletes, coaches, trainers, and support personnel in indoor public spaces except when actively competing.
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Referees must wear masks except when actively officiated and running.
- Locally, Kitsap Public Health District is assisting several school districts in their response to COVID-19 cases or exposures linked to wrestling programs, but sports-related outbreaks have not been limited to wrestling. This fall and winter, we have also responded to outbreaks involving football and basketball teams, in addition to other youth recreational activities.
COVID-19 case rates are consistently higher among school-aged youth than the general population.
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These outbreaks are a reminder that kids remain at high risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 due to their involvement in group activities and lower rates of vaccination. The rate of COVID-19 cases among Kitsap youth ages 5-18 (130 per 100,000 in the most recent week) remains much higher than the rate for the general population (88 per 100,000).
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We want to keep students engaged in healthy activities like sports, but we need to prevent outbreaks linked to extracurricular activities from jeopardizing the safety of in-classroom learning for all students and school employees. This is another reason why it is so important for coaches, athletes, parents, and spectators to carefully follow public health guidance for athletics, including recommendations for vaccination, testing, distancing, and masking.
- See our schools and youth page for more information and data regarding COVID-19 and schools. COVID-19 outbreaks with 10 or more cases are listed on our outbreaks page.
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SPREAD JOY, NOT COVID!
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Kitsap Public Health transitioning to weekly data reports
Since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kitsap County in March of 2020, Kitsap Public Health District epidemiologists have produced daily COVID-19 data updates.
These reports evolved over time from simple lists of new cases posted on our website, to complex, interactive displays. We appreciate everyone who has followed these updates and provided encouragement or feedback along the way.
Starting next week, we will no longer update our COVID-19 Surveillance Report every weekday. This is the report (pictured at right) that is posted on our main COVID page and our social media.
Moving ahead, we will update the report once a week on Thursdays, in conjunction with our other COVID-19 data dashboards.
We believe this change is needed to provide our community with the best information available and make efficient use of Health District resources. Here are some key considerations that led to this decision:
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Daily fluctuations in COVID-19 data are not a reliable indicator of COVID-19 activity in our community. As a public health agency, we produce data reports to help residents assess risk and make decisions to protect their health. As you have probably noticed, the rate of cases reported for our county can bounce up and down from day to day as test results roll in. These daily fluctuations do not necessarily represent increased or decreased risk. By focusing on more stable week-over-week trends, we can better assess whether COVID-19 activity is rising or falling in our county.
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We expect to be monitoring COVID-19 activity for many months to come. Shifting to weekly reporting will make this work more sustainable for our epidemiology team long-term. The change to weekly reporting acknowledges that we are no longer responding to a short-term emergency, but to an ongoing threat to public health.
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By moving to weekly reporting, we can dedicate more time to analyzing and sharing meaningful trends of the pandemic.
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Daily data reports are still available from the Washington State Department of Health and CDC. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 data on a daily basis and report important developments for our community.
We understand this is a big change, especially for those of you who have been following our daily updates for nearly two years. We appreciate your understanding as we make this transition.
If you have questions or feedback regarding our data reporting, please contact us at pio@kitsappublichealth.org.
Today is the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 vaccination in Kitsap!
Hospital workers at St. Michael were the first in Kitsap to get the shots. Image courtesy Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
One year ago today, hospital workers at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale received the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Kitsap County. Those first shots marked the start of a historic effort to deliver lifesaving vaccines to hundreds of thousands of Kitsap residents as quickly, equitably, and efficiently as possible. Our community rose to the challenge, and we are grateful.
Over the past 12 months, 34 providers across Kitsap County, supported by hundreds of staff and volunteers, have administered more than 387,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses (an average of 1,060 doses a day). More than 190,000 Kitsap residents (71% of our total population) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Our work is far from done. We continue to encourage all residents 5 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible if they have not started vaccination. We also urge those who are 16 and older and fully vaccinated to sign up for booster shots as soon as they are eligible.
Data from the first year of vaccination affirm the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination exponentially reduces your risk of getting COVID-19 and is overwhelmingly effective for preventing severe illness and death. This is protection we all need as we enter a busy holiday season and face likelihood of a new wave of disease spurred by the Omicron variant.
But for a few moments at least, we can take time on this anniversary to reflect and share our gratitude. To everyone who has made the choice to get vaccinated, to everyone who has administered a vaccine, worked at a vaccination site, encouraged a neighbor to book an appointment, driven a family member to a clinic, or babysat while a busy mom or dad was getting their shot — THANK YOU!
Together, we are saving lives.
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PRINTABLE WEEKLY OUTLOOK
Download our weekly outlook report as a PDF that you can print and share in your community. Thank you for spreading reliable information about COVID-19!
Looking for an image file to share? Click here.
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Numbers to know
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As of Dec. 15, 71% of all Kitsap residents (ages 0+) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 65% are fully vaccinated. Nearly 194,000 Kitsap residents have received at least one dose of vaccine. Of the Kitsap residents eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine (ages 5+), 75.6% have received at least one dose and 69% are fully vaccinated.
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239 COVID-19 cases were reported in our county in the most recent week with full data available (week ending Dec. 11): 4 cases on Bainbridge Island, 77 cases in Bremerton, 48 in Central Kitsap, 31 in North Kitsap, and 79 in South Kitsap.
- Kitsap County's rate of cases per 100,000 population over 7 days was 91.5 as of Dec. 17. The rate of cases reported in Kitsap had been declining since mid-September, but is currently holding steady. COVID-19 transmission is at a "substantial" level in our county, per the CDC.
- For the week ending Dec. 11, there were 13 new Kitsap resident COVID-19 hospitalizations; there were 20 the week prior.
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263 Kitsap resident COVID-19-associated deaths have been reported to date, with nine additional deaths confirmed since our last weekly newsletter was published (Dec. 10).
- Find more local COVID-19 data at kcowa.us/covid19data
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The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is an important tool for monitoring vaccine safety. However, data from VAERS reports are a common source of confusion and misinformation. Learn more >>
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SPOTTING COVID-19 MISINFORMATION
There is a lot of conflicting and inaccurate information circulating about COVID-19.
How do you know what information is accurate and which information sources to trust?
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When reading an article, research study, social media post, or other writing, consider:
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The source. Is the source a credible organization that has the appropriate expertise and credibility?
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Date published. How long ago was the information published? We learn more about COVID-19 as the pandemic continues. Information evolves. Look for information that is as current as possible.
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References. Does the source cite their references? Do the references have appropriate expertise and credibility?
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Verification/review process. Was the information reviewed by a medical professional? Are their credentials provided?
For more tips, visit the Immunization Action Coalition's Evaluating Health Information Online webpage.
Do your part to stop the spread of rumors by doing three simple things:
- Find trusted sources of information.
- Share information from trusted sources.
- Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.
Some of the best sources of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine information are:
For more on misinformation, check out:
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org
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