On Wednesday, the Kitsap Public Health District confirmed another high amount of 77 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total of positive tests to 2,952 since March.
South Kitsap had 22, North Kitsap 18 and Bainbridge Island two.
A total of 194 cases were considered in “isolation” by the health district, meaning they are “confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases who are in their recommended isolation period” (10 days after first symptoms.) 941 “total close contacts in quarantine” were also confirmed in Kitsap, meaning they are “residents who were determined to be close contacts of confirmed cases and are in their recommended quarantine period” (14 days after last contact with case.)
29 COVID-related deaths have been confirmed in the county, two of which were reported by the health district earlier this week. Both community members were older adults (65 or older) with underlying health conditions. According to the health district, all of the fatalities have been from individuals with underlying health conditions, the large majority over age 65.
Over the past two weeks, Kitsap County’s positive case rate per 100,000 residents has increased to 199.9, meaning the county is at a “high level” of COVID-19 activity, per state guidelines, with a case rate above 75 over the previous 14 days.
KPHD and hospital officials are urging action to prevent strain on the healthcare system.
“There is very real potential for our hospitals and clinics to become overwhelmed in coming weeks and months unless we take decisive action as individuals and as a community to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses,” district health officer Dr. Gib Morrow said.
Due to a high volume of testing at the state Department of Health, the total number of negative tests along with the percentage of positive tests over the last 14 days are not available.
Of the 2,952 total cases, 144 have been reported on Bainbridge Island, 737 in Bremerton, 727 in Central Kitsap, 476 in North Kitsap and 868 in South Kitsap.
Based on contact tracing work, the district believes the spread among families and households was a key driver of recent case increases. To prevent spreading it is important for all members of a household to stay home and avoid contact with others if any member of their household has symptoms. Cases have increased across all age ranges, but during a four-week period ending Oct. 31, the rate of new cases reported among children 18 and younger jumped to its highest level to date.
