News & Information

COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 2 p.m. July 23

• Positive tests to date: 455

• Negative tests to date: 16,875

• Deaths to date: 3
• View Kitsap Public Health's COVID-19 surveillance report -
  also available in Spanish
• View the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard for the latest data.

Inslee announces updates to Safe Start plan

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced several modifications to the Safe Start plan that promote fewer, shorter and safer interactions. He also adjusted face covering requirements. The Safe Start page will include these changes and link to guidance for businesses.

The governor also announced an extension of the statewide eviction moratorium through October with more details to come. The governor’s office will convene a working group explore potential changes to the order, if additional extensions are needed.

This graphic, courtesy of Snohomish Health District, provides an overview of the revised guidance for Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan. Kitsap County is in Phase 2.

We can all help remind our communities: We must prevent runaway growth of COVID-19. Our individual actions make a difference. Fewer, shorter, safer interactions are crucial. Staying home is still safest but if you go out, keep it quick, keep your distance from others, and wear your face covering.

Data update from the Kitsap Public Health District

Today, Kitsap Public Health updated its weekly COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard and Safe Start Report Card. A few trends stood out in the data:

• The rate of new COVID-19 cases reported per 100,000 Kitsap residents continued to climb steeply, reaching 56 cases per 100,000 over the two-week period of July 5-18. The state Safe Start target for new cases is 25 per 100,000.
• The percent of positive COVID-19 tests has increased, indicating the rate of positive tests is growing faster than the rate of testing overall. About 7% of COVID-19 tests came back positive for the week of July 12-18 (this figure could be adjusted as additional results are reported).
• Hospitalizations due to confirmed COVID-19 have trended up since early June, as represented by current hospitalizations and the cumulative number of Kitsap residents hospitalized to date (41). Hospitals in Kitsap County are still meeting the state's Phase 3 Safe Start targets for bed occupancy.

Volunteers needed for Kitsap quarantine and isolation site 

Volunteers are needed to staff Kitsap County Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) site for individuals who've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, and lack safe alternatives for housing. The site is open to guests who choose to participate, are medically-stable and have been referred by a healthcare professional or public health official.

Q&I is maintained and managed by Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management as a key tool in the battle against the spread of COVID-19, providing a place for people who are wanting to protect other household members from infection, or experiencing homelessness.

Q&I site volunteers serve in an on-call capacity and fill shifts around the clock when the site is activated, working to provide basic needs to guests. These tasks include delivery of food along with health checks, checking in and checking out of referred individuals and daily reporting to emergency managers.

Volunteers are provided training on all appropriate PPE as well as on steps that minimize possible exposure. There is continuous on-site security, personal space and access to Wi-Fi in a beautiful setting; volunteers work in teams and site managers are also available to support volunteer staff. 

To help fill this vital need, please click here for more information or email volunteer@kitsapem.org. Click this link to complete an application to volunteer as a disaster emergency worker.

Useful Links

• Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook

• Kitsap County EOC Coronavirus Resource and Information Page

• Kitsap Public Health Coronavirus Information Page

• Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares Page

• Kitsap County Services During the Coronavirus Response

• Washington State Coronavirus Response Page