News & Information

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY: Kitsap Public Health will be closed in observance of MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 18. COVID-19 testing results will not be reported and there will not be a Coronavirus Update published on Jan. 18. Updates will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 2 p.m. Jan. 15

• Positive tests to date: 4,579

• Negative tests to date: N/A *

• Deaths to date: 53
• View Kitsap Public Health's COVID-19 surveillance report - Disponible en Español

* View the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard for the latest data and additional details about this report.

1/15/2020 UPDATE: Kitsap Public Health District reported three new COVID-19-associated deaths on Jan. 15. With the addition of this case, 53 COVID-19-associated deaths have been reported in the county to date.

For the latest updates and information on COVID-19 vaccination planning, visit the Kitsap County Public Health site at kcowa.us/vaccine and the Washington State Department of Health page at COVIDVaccineWA.org.

Healthy Washington update: All regions remain in Phase 1

Today, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that based on Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, all eight regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, January 25, 2021. See what's open in Phase 1.

Regions must meet four metrics in order to move into Phase 2. These metrics provide an overview of current COVID-19 trends and healthcare system readiness in each region. The four metrics are:

1. Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population.
2. Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
3. Less than 90% Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy.
4. COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.

DOH will reassess all the metrics each week and announce any changes to current phase status every Friday. For more detailed information on where each of the eight regions falls with regards to the four metrics, visit the DOH website. Kitsap County is in the Northwest Region with Clallam, Jefferson, and Mason counties.

Kitsap Public Health launched a new webpage to share information about Healthy Washington as more details are released.

Impact of increasing COVID-19 activity

Kitsap Public Health yesterday sent a news release reporting elevated COVID-19 activity and increased deaths. As of Jan. 15, a total of 53 COVID-19 associated deaths have been reported in Kitsap County since the start of the pandemic. A breakdown in the age range of deaths in Kitsap associated with COVID-19 is now available on the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard.

Widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the community has contributed to an increase in hospital admissions and outbreaks in a variety of workplace, residential, and healthcare settings. Kitsap Public Health is assisting several long-term care facilities responding to COVID-19 outbreaks. More information about outbreaks is available on the Health District’s website.

Factors contributing to recent cases include:

• Workplace exposures from employees reporting to work while sick
• Cases linked to holidays and social gatherings
• Cases linked to outbreaks at care facilities and other settings
• Widespread COVID-19 transmission in the community

“Our hearts are with the families in our community who have lost loved ones to the pandemic or are struggling to overcome this disease,” said Kitsap Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow.

“The arrival of COVID-19 vaccine gives us hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight, and we are working with our healthcare community to roll out vaccinations as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he added. “But as we work to build our collective immunity, we have to keep fighting the spread of the virus by wearing masks, keeping our distance from others, washing hands, avoiding gatherings, and staying home when sick. These are simple steps that will save lives.”

Useful Links

• Kitsap Public Health vaccine updates and information

• 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