News & Information
COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 11 a.m. Mar. 6
View the COVID-19 Data Page for the latest data and additional details about this report.
To learn about community-based COVID-19 drive-thru 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
Washington hits goal of administering 45,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per day
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) yesterday announced the state has reached its goal of vaccinating 45,000 people per day.
As of March 3, an average of 45,221 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given and reported each day over the past seven days. DOH and partners continue to make progress with COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration efforts.
More than 1,865,640 doses of vaccine have been given and reported across the state, which is more than 77% of the 2,414,000 doses that have been delivered to providers and long-term care programs. This information can be found on the DOH data dashboard under the vaccines tab, which is updated three times per week.
Washington State Department of Health provides next-generation genome sequencing
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has increased its capacity to identify new strains of COVID-19 using next-generation genome sequencing equipment. The goal is to test several thousand specimens a month at the Public Health Lab in Shoreline. See the DOH news release for more details.
Sequencing has been used since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak to analyze the RNA structure of the virus and determine how it is mutating. Like all viruses, COVID-19 constantly mutates as it spreads. Both the B.1.1.7. and B.1.351 variants identified in Washington state were detected during routine genome sequencing.
Currently, Washington state labs conduct sequencing on approximately two percent of SARS-CoV-2 specimens. According to Science Magazine, that places Washington third among all states based on the number of specimens sequenced per capita.
DOH publishes a weekly SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and variant report that summarizes genome sequencing from multiple laboratories to provide a statewide view of sequencing capacity and data.
New guidance on improving mask fitting to more effectively slow the spread of COVID-19
Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Masks work best when everyone wears them, but not all masks provide the same protection. When choosing a mask, look at how well it fits, how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has.
Recommended strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask, knotting the ear loops of a medical procedure mask, using a mask fitter, or using a nylon covering over a mask. Read more tips from the CDC on how to improve the fit and filtration of your mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Reminders for safe building re-openings after COVID-19 closures
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wants to support the safe reopening of buildings that may have been closed for an extended period of time due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Low, or no water use in vacant or underused buildings increases the risk to plumbing systems and the potential for Legionella.
There are ways to safely resume water service in buildings that were closed or underused during the pandemic. When owners and maintenance staff reopen buildings, they should follow safety guidance to prevent Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne infections.
DOH employees are reaching out to commercial building owners and maintenance managers with information on how to avoid a potential health risk related to limited water use inside larger buildings with complex plumbing. Learn more in the DOH news release. Read more about Legionella here.
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