News & Information

COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 11:00 a.m., February 3

• Positive tests to date: 35,825
• Deaths to date: 284
• View Kitsap Public Health's COVID-19 surveillance report - Disponible en Español
• DATA UPDATE: Occasionally a death is removed from the total number of deaths when it is re-evaluated and determined not to be COVID-related.
• The COVID-19 Bulletin now publishes on an occasional 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 here for vaccine updates from Kitsap Public Health.

Learning more about Omicron

Omicron is here in Washington in a big way. In the last several weeks, we’ve seen omicron become the most prevalent COVID-19 variant in Washington. Currently, it makes up over 90% of all sequenced specimens.

There’s a lot we’re learning about the omicron variant — how it spreads, its severity, and the impact of vaccinations and boosters. In this interview with Dr. Tao Kwan-Gett, the new chief science officer at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), a deeper look into the omicron variant is provided. This includes information on why it spreads so easily, its severity, and steps we can take to protect ourselves and those around us.

The value of vaccine booster shots

The CDC reports that people who are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 have the highest amount of protection against both the Delta and Omicron variants, compared with people who remain unvaccinated. Boosters provide the most protection against infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. 

Earlier this week, Washington Department of Health announced some immunocompromised individuals should receive four doses of COVID-19 vaccine. A fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine can help some people with weakened immune systems be less likely to catch COVID-19 and get severely ill. Certain individuals who are immunocompromised may receive up to four doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which includes two primary doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), an additional primary dose, and a booster dose.

So, what's the difference between natural and vaccine induced immunity?

Many people are asking this question amidst the high levels of exposure and illness from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. In this video, Dr. Joshua Liao physician and associate professor at the University of Washington states that he has seen a lot of confusion around this issue. He proceeds to give a clear and easy to understand answer to this to this complex question. For answers to other common questions related to COVID-19 vaccines, go to: VaccineFactsWA.org

Kitsap drive-through testing now available five days a week

The demand at our drive-through COVID-19 testing sites dropped down from record levels over the past two weeks. This means that it is easier and faster to use this testing resource. Pre-registration is still required and testing is now available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. See the schedule below and visit kcowa.us/covidtesting for full details. 

• If you no longer need your appointment, please cancel through the registration system or call 360-728-2219.
• DO NOT go to St. Michaels Medical Center or any other hospital's emergency department for routine COVID-19 testing. We need to keep emergency department resources available for medical emergencies. 

The testing sites operated by Kitsap Public Health and the Kitsap County EOC are intended to serve people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Please use a different testing site if you need a screening test for work, travel, or other activities. See our full list of Kitsap County testing providers. 

Drive-through testing days, locations and hours:

- Mondays: Bainbridge Island - Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, 11042 Sunrise Dr NE

       Hours: 9 a.m. to noon. (Closed on February 21 in observance of President's Day.)

- Tuesdays: Bremerton - Harborside Parking Garage, 100 Washington Ave.

       Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Thursdays: Poulsbo - City Hall Parking Garage, 200 Moe St.

        Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Fridays: Kitsap Co. Fairgrounds, 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW

        Hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Saturdays: Kitsap Co. Fairgrounds, 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW

        Hours: 9 a.m. to noon.

 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).  

UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION

The CDC and Washington State Department of Health adopted new guidance for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Find the new guidance here >>

Need to show proof of vaccination?

No problem – you've got options.

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. A regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County can be found here.

Click here for a fact sheet for children ages 5-11. 

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.

Kitsap Public Health District continues to provide vaccine clinics at Bremerton Saint Michael Medical Center. Register at: https://kphd.timetap.com/#/ 

Need transportation? If you need transportation assistance to a COVID-19 vaccine site, please call Kitsap Transit's ACCESS service at (360) 479-7272 or (800) 422-2877. To make an appointment for a vaccination, please contact your health-care provider or clinic.

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

• Online reporting of COVID-19 cases for businesses & organizations
• COVID-19 Vaccine Locator
• Kitsap Public Health vaccine clinic calendar
• Kitsap Public Health Coronavirus Information Page
• Resources for families and individuals
• Funeral expense reimbursement from FEMA

• Resources for businesses

• Kitsap County Eviction Prevention Assistance Program

• Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares Page

• Kitsap County Services During the Coronavirus Response

• Kitsap County EOC Coronavirus Resource and Information Page

• Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Page with links to resources in 38 language