News & Information
Announcement: This is final edition of the COVID-19 Bulletin.
The COVID-19 Bulletin has provided regular updates for the residents of Kitsap County since the very early days of the pandemic. Today's issue marks the end of this publication.
The Bulletin has been produced by the Joint Information Center (JIC) which is part of the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The JIC has supported KPHD and the EOC in its effort to provide the residents of Kitsap County with timely, accurate and helpful information.
As circulation of this publication comes to an end, readers will still be able to find information on COVID-19 at the KPHD website. Readers are also invited to sign up here for the quarterly newsletter from Kitsap County Emergency Management (select "Emergency Management Information") . Additionally, you are invited to bookmark the KCDEM website for updates and resources and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you subscribing to this publication and for the questions and feedback you have provided over the past two years.
COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 11:00 a.m., March 31, 2022
Now is the time to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Visit Kitsap County Public Health at kcowa.us/vaccine and sign up here for vaccine updates from Kitsap Public Health.
¿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
Kids and the COVID-19 vaccine
Many parents have asked the question, "Why should my child get vaccinated against COVID-19 if children don't get very sick from it?" In response to this question, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) notes in their recent newsletter that new COVID-19 variants are more dangerous and infectious to children that the original strains.
A second DOH interview with Dr. Elias Kass addesses additional questions related to kids and COVID-19 infection. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 12 million children in the U.S. have gotten COVID-19 and new COVD-19 variant surges led to peak COVID-19 hospitalizations among children.
While COVID-19 is often milder in children than adults, children can still get very sick and spread it to friends and family. Vaccination is the best way to keep children healthy and safe. In fact, new studies find that the benefits of the kids’ vaccine are even better than previously thought, and the safety record is strong.
Second booster recommended for certain individuals
Washington State Department of Health announced on Wednesday that people age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals can now get a second booster shot of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
This additional dose of mRNA vaccine will help further increase protection for those at highest risk and can be received four months after receiving an initial booster dose.
DOH’s updated booster dose recommendations are as follows:
- Everyone 12 and older should receive a booster dose five months after completing their two-dose vaccine series of Pfizer or Moderna, or two months after receiving the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.
- Everyone 50 and older can receive a second booster dose four months after receiving their first booster dose.
- Individuals 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can receive a second booster dose four months after receiving their first booster dose.
- Those 18 and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the J&J vaccine four months ago can receive a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
A regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County can be found here.
 Thank you volunteers and staff!
Over the past two years, hundreds of Emergency Operations Center volunteers have made a huge impact at our local testing sites, vaccination clinics, supply distribution center, as well as the Quarantine and Isolation Center. As of March 24, a total of 653 volunteers have provided over 50,000 service hours!
Alongside these amazing volunteers has been a dedicated team of staff members who have filled a wide range of roles and responsibilities. Some served for a number of weeks or months while many have contributed for over a year on this two-year activation. Special commendations go to Doug Blangsted, Ken Hulet, Herb Jewell and Michael Robinson who have worked on the response from the very beginning and continue serving to this very day!
Thank you volunteers and staff for your energy, empathy, and expertise as you made amazing contributions in support of your fellow Kitsap residents!
 South Kitsap COVID-19 testing site open 4 days/week
Kitsap Public Health District has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health and Curative in opening a new COVID-19 testing site in South Kitsap earlier this week. Located at Grace Bible Church in Port Orchard, this walk-up testing kiosk will offer molecular (PCR) testing, with results available in 24 to 48 hours.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. You can book an appointment here (appointments are recommended but not required).
This site will help meet a need for testing in South Kitsap, while providing a potential model for offering ongoing access to COVID-19 testing in the community. Kiosks could be added in other areas of the county if demand for testing increases in the future.
 WA DOH launches Spanish-only Facebook page
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) now has a dedicated Spanish-only Facebook page that specifically targets Spanish-speaking populations. These pages are written and maintained by Latinx members of the team at DOH and supported by a Spanish Social Task Force made up of equity and partner representatives of minority populations.
DOH has also built up a strong translation team that is ensuring that the Latinx community is getting information in Spanish at the same time as English speakers, therefore closing the gap between majority and minority population reach. DOH is also planning to announce a Spanish Instagram account as well and are working through final details of that full launch.
 Washington enters next phase of COVID-19 response
Last week, Washington State Department of Health announced that it was moving into the next phase of Washington's COVID-19 response. The long-term response will focus on Equity, Empowerment, Prevention, and Readiness. You can find the details of the ForWArd plan here.
Blood supplies still low in the Pacific Northwest
Blood supplies remain low across the Pacific Northwest. If you are feeling healthy, schedule your donation right away! Contact Bloodworks Northwest at: schedule.bloodworksnw.org or 1-800-398-7888 , or the American Red Cross Northwest Region at: redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive
 Broadband assistance for eligible households
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is now the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). It reduces the monthly internet discount from $50 to $30 & remains $75 for Tribal lands. Contact your service provider as you may have to opt-in to ACP, or sign up at www.acpbenefit.org.
Finding a COVID-19 vaccine provider
No matter where you are in Washington, the Vaccine Locator provided by Washington State Department of Health makes it easy to find and schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. A regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County can be found here.
Click here for a fact sheet for children ages 5-11.
Homebound and need a COVID-19 vaccine?
Fill out a secure online form to let us know if you or someone you know is homebound. Your answers will allow us to connect individuals to available County and/or State Mobile Vaccine Teams.
Need transportation? If you need transportation assistance to a COVID-19 vaccine site, please call Kitsap Transit's ACCESS service at (360) 479-7272 or (800) 422-2877. To make an appointment for a vaccination, please contact your health-care provider or clinic.
Need help? Call the hotline at 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357), then press #. Language assistance is available. You can also text your zip code to 438-829 (GET VAX) or 822-862 (VACUNA) for vaccine locations near you.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at cdc.gov/coronavirus
Useful Links
|
.png)