Kitsap County recently issued the following announcement on March 11.
UPCOMING VACCINATION CLINICS: We are offering a flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic at North Kitsap Fishline on March 16, followed by our Family Pfizer Friday clinic for ages 5+ on March 18 in Bremerton. No appointments needed! Find details on our clinic calendar.
What to expect as indoor masking rules change Saturday; updates on data reports and this newsletter
Trends we are tracking
- Kitsap County's COVID-19 case rate has reached the lowest point since July 2021. However, case counts underrepresent disease activity in the community because many positive results from at-home tests are not reported to public health and not everyone who has COVID-19 gets tested. This dynamic affects other metrics we report that are calculated using case counts, such as the percentage of cases that are hospitalized. Keep this in mind as you review our data dashboards.
- The chart below shows the 7-day case rate for Kitsap County over the past three months (Dec. 12 to March 6):
- We are reporting an encouraging decline in hospitalizations among Kitsap County residents. Thirty-two new hospitalizations were reported last week, compared with 54 the previous week (we adjust hospitalization totals for previous weeks as additional reports are received).
- Demand has slowed to a trickle at drive-through testing sites operated by Kitsap Public Health District District and the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center. Seven people were tested at our Fairgrounds site on Friday, March 11. In January, it was routine for the same site to test more than 250 people in a day. Declining demand at testing sites is likely driven by decreasing COVID-19 transmission and widespread availability of at-home tests. See our "Get Tested" page to learn about local testing options.
Shifting to weekly data reporting; Weekly Outlook newsletter will continue through March
Last week we shared Kitsap Public Health District's plans for scaling back emergency response activities while gradually transitioning to addressing COVID-19 as an ongoing health risk. We are applying a similar approach to our data and informational reports.
As our emergency response winds down, we will continue to bring you the latest COVID-19 data and information, while dedicating more time to supporting the Health District's many other important programs. Here are the changes we have planned:
SHIFTING TO WEEKLY DATA REPORTING
As announced on our website and social media earlier this week, Kitsap Public Health District will shift to updating the daily COVID-19 Surveillance Report once per week on Thursdays. We posted our final daily data report on March 11.
We made the decision to reduce the frequency of our data updates based on several trends:
- Kitsap County’s rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population per 7 days has dropped below 100 and continues to decline.
- Hospitalizations among Kitsap County residents and at our local hospital have declined since Omicron peaked in January.
- Fewer outbreaks are being reported in high-risk settings, including healthcare and long-term care facilities, daycares, and schools.
- Demand for testing has fallen off substantially at testing sites operated by Kitsap Public Health and the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center.
WEEKLY OUTLOOK NEWSLETTER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MARCH
- We will continue producing the COVID-19 Weekly Outlook newsletter through the end of March.
- After March, we plan to launch a new monthly public health newsletter. This future newsletter will feature useful health news and tips, highlights from the Health District's work in the community, insights into local health trends, and more. Stay tuned for details!
- We will continue to post regular COVID-19 updates to our website and social media (follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).
WE APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK!
Thank you for reading our data reports, newsletters, and updates! If you have questions or suggestions, please email pio@kitsappublichealth.org.
What to expect after the state's indoor masking rule changes on March 12
Saturday will bring a big change for all of us.
For nearly two years, we have worn masks to protect ourselves and each other. It has become second nature to slip mask over our faces when we pop into stores, clock in at work, or join our classmates at school. But starting March 12, masks will become optional in most of the indoor public spaces we visit.
Some will be elated to ditch masks and get back to seeing smiles on faces. Others will be more cautious, knowing that COVID remains a risk. Many community members — especially those who are at high risk for severe illness, or live or work with people who are at high risk — will have strong motivation to keep wearing masks. For everyone, the rule change will be a big adjustment.
With that in mind, let's approach this transition with open minds and an abundance of kindness, and give each other space to make the best choices for ourselves and our loved ones.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Don't throw out your masks just yet! Masks will still be required in some indoor settings, including healthcare facilities. Per federal rules, masks are required inside transportation hubs and onboard transit buses and ferries through at least April 18.
- Individual businesses, schools, and other organizations can set their own rules for masking. Keep a mask handy and follow posted rules. Parents should watch for guidance updates from their children's schools. Our colleagues at Public Health Seattle & King County shared a thoughtful article with considerations for masking at schools and child cares.
- Community members can still choose to wear masks in any setting as an added layer of protection. Masks are effective for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. COVID-19 is still spreading in our community. You can reduce your chances of getting or spreading respiratory illnesses by wearing a mask, especially in crowded indoor spaces.
- People who are at high risk for COVID-19, or who care for or regularly visit people who are at high risk, are encouraged to keep wearing masks for added protection.
- With fewer people masking, it is even more important to stay home if you are feeling sick to avoid exposing others. Wear a well-fitting mask any time you are around other people.
- Vaccination and booster shots provide safe and effective protection. We recommend everyone 5 and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, especially as masking rules are relaxed.
The state Department of Health released updated requirements and recommendations for schools and child care providers this week, in conjunction with the change to state indoor masking rules. Parents should watch for policy updates from their child's school or child care center.
South Kitsap testing site opens March 16
Our new South Kitsap testing site opens on Wednesday, March 16! 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).
Kitsap Public Health District partnered with the state Department of Health and Curative to establish this site at Grace Bible Church in Port Orchard. The walk-up testing kiosk will offer molecular (PCR) testing, with results available in 24 to 48 hours.
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.
See our "Get Tested" page to find more local testing options and links for ordering at-home tests.
Numbers to know
- As of March 10, 77.1% of all Kitsap residents (ages 0+) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69.2% are fully vaccinated. Nearly 210,000 Kitsap residents have received at least one dose of vaccine. Of the Kitsap residents eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine (ages 5+), 82% have received at least one dose and 73.5% are fully vaccinated.
- 182 COVID-19 cases were reported in our county in the most recent week with full data available (week ending March 5): 13 cases on Bainbridge Island, 43 in Bremerton, 35 in Central Kitsap, 42 in North Kitsap, 46 in South Kitsap, and 3 undetermined.
- Kitsap County's rate of cases per 100,000 population over 7 days was 61 as of March 11 (includes cases reported through March 6). The rate of cases reported in Kitsap is declining.
- For the week ending March 5, there were 32 new Kitsap resident COVID-19 hospitalizations; there were 54 the week prior. The number of hospitalizations among Kitsap residents is decreasing.
- 328 Kitsap resident COVID-19-associated deaths have been reported to date.
- Find more local COVID-19 data at kcowa.us/covid19data
Visit our Community Toolkit page to download fact sheets, graphics, and more from Kitsap Public Health District and other trusted sources.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org
Original source can be found here.
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