News & Information
COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 2 p.m. Feb. 16
View the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard for the latest data and additional details about this report.
To learn about community-based COVID-19 drive-through test sites, open six days per week at locations across Kitsap County, and to pre-register, go to kcowa.us/covidtesting.
For the updates and information on COVID-19 vaccination planning, visit Kitsap County Public Health at kcowa.us/vaccine and the Washington State Department of Health at COVIDVaccineWA.org. Sign up for vaccine updates from Kitsap Public Health here.
¿Quieres información sobre la vacuna COVID-19? Mira nuestro pagina para mas información de la vacuna y como obtener la vacuna: https://bit.ly/2XVht0W
Tambien os puede llamar nuestro linea 360-728-2218
Urgent need for blood donations
With snow and icy roads around the region, Bloodworks Northwest had 800 appointment cancellations, causing the blood supply to dip to low levels. Local hospitals need your help fast!
Give blood through February 28 and discover if you have COVID-19 antibodies. Positive donors could become convalescent plasma donors and help critically ill coronavirus patients directly. Book your appointment today at bloodworksnw.org/donate or call 800-398-7888.
New special enrollment period for health coverage opens February 15
Washington Health Benefit Exchange opened a special enrollment period starting Feb. 15. This aligns with President Biden’s executive order to re-open the federal health insurance marketplace, giving additional time to Americans still seeking health coverage during the pandemic.
The special enrollment will run for 90 days, ending May 15, 2021. During this time those currently uninsured, seeking coverage, or enrolled in off-Exchange health insurance (such as health sharing ministries, short-term limited duration plans or COBRA) can enroll. See the announcement for more details.
Department of Health expands school testing initiative to encourage more in-person learning
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the Washington Office of the Superintendent for Instruction (OSPI) and Health Commons is expanding its COVID-19 testing service for schools and adding voluntary testing options to its toolkit for school districts. This is part of the ongoing effort to expand in-person learning to more Washington students.
The department partnered with 11 districts on a testing pilot project, and so far the results have been encouraging. Combined with other mitigation strategies, like practicing six feet of physical distancing, using face coverings, keeping students in smaller cohorts, maximizing/improving ventilation, and practicing good hygiene and disinfection habits, testing in schools has helped build confidence in safer in-person learning.
DOH is now expanding the testing program, with at least 48 more districts signed up to start this month. See the news release for more details.
Free masks still available through state program
As part of a statewide program, the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center received 106,000 cloth face masks to distribute to low-income individuals through local social service agencies and organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two free masks are available for individuals and families with this need. To access the free masks, call 2-1-1 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for directions to distribution locations across the county.
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