Sept. 23, 2020

St. Michael Medical Center update: no new cases associated with outbreak identified since August

Kitsap Public Health continues to work with CHI Franciscan to identify and respond to cases among employees.  

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — No new cases of COVID-19 associated with an outbreak at St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton have been identified since August, the Kitsap Public Health District reported Wednesday, Sept. 23.

However, Kitsap Public Health is responding to a small number of COVID-19 cases identified among CHI Franciscan employees in Kitsap, including employees who worked at St. Michael Medical Center. These cases are not linked to the earlier outbreak.

CHI Franciscan is notifying and testing all staff and patients who may be affected by these cases. Kitsap Public Health is coordinating with the state Department of Health and working closely with CHI Franciscan to ensure all necessary steps are taken to prevent additional illness. CHI Franciscan has released additional information. 

“Unfortunately, we expect COVID-19 cases to continue to be reported in healthcare facilities and other workplaces for as long as the virus is circulating within our community,” Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Morrow said.  

“While we are doing everything we can to prevent COVID-19 in healthcare settings, there will always be the potential for a patient, visitor or worker to carry the virus into a facility. Frontline healthcare workers are especially vulnerable, as they put themselves in harm’s way to provide critical care to patients under these extremely challenging circumstances. That’s why it’s so important for people to closely monitor their health and get tested right away if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. We need all Kitsap residents to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus and help protect the essential workers dedicated to keeping our community safe.”

Over the past month, St. Michael has implemented guidance from the state Department of Health and Kitsap Public Health, including broader use of PPE, enhanced symptoms screening for employees, comprehensive COVID-19 testing, and more proactive notification of affected individuals and the public, among other changes.

“We believe these protocols have already been effective in helping the hospital rapidly identify and respond to potential COVID-19 cases and prevent infections within the hospital,” Dr. Morrow said.

Experts from the state Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visited the hospital this month. The Department of Health and state Department of Labor & Industries issued a joint hazard alert last week with guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings.

“The situation at St. Michael was tragic for our community, but we are hopeful the lessons learned from this response will help health care facilities across the county, state, and country better protect patients, staff, and visitors from the ongoing threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Morrow said.  “I’m proud of the way Kitsap Public Health District and our partner agencies rose to the challenge of responding to what was a truly an unprecedented event in a hospital setting.”

Help prevent COVID-19 in workplaces

Dr. Morrow urged employers and community members to help control spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of exposures at workplaces:

• Employers should implement and enforce the public health guidelines recommended for their industry to prevent workplace exposures and respond effectively to any potential cases identified within their workforce.
  
  
• Employers should instruct employees to stay home if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms and encourage testing.
  
  
• All residents should closely monitor their health and stay home if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms. Those experiencing symptoms should get tested as soon as possible.
  
  
• All residents should follow public health guidance, including wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart from others, to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Sharing information about cases in the community

Kitsap Public Health remains dedicated to providing Kitsap residents with information needed to assess disease risk in their community, while protecting the private health information of individuals as required by federal law. In addition to a page with updates about the St. Michael response, the health district created a new section on its website where information about outbreaks in the community will be shared on an ongoing basis.

COVID-19 “outbreaks” frequently involve a very small number of cases. Per state guidance, an outbreak at a long-term care facility or residential care setting is defined as one or more cases among residents or staff. In workplaces outside of long-term care, an outbreak is generally defined as two cases reported within 14 days that are potentially linked within the workplace.

As of Sept. 15, there have been 43 COVID-19 outbreaks reported in Kitsap County, including 16 at long-term care facilities. Only two outbreaks have exceeded 10 cases — both have been listed on the health district’s website.

Kitsap Public Health investigates all positive COVID-19 cases reported in Kitsap County. When a cluster of cases is identified, the health district works with the facility to notify close contacts and ensure safeguards are in place to prevent additional cases. Kitsap Public Health also encourages facilities to notify employees and other affected individuals. 

For more information, go to kitsappublichealth.org.

CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org