More than 30 cases of COVID-19 were reported among hospital employees and patients at St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton Friday afternoon.
Kitsap Public Health District and the state Department of Health are working with the center to contain the outbreak.
The first case linked to the outbreak was reported late last week. The outbreak has affected multiple units at the hospital. Patients who were discharged from the impacted units have been notified.
“St. Michael provides vital services to our community, and we are taking this situation extremely seriously,” said Dr. Gib Morrow, health officer for the district. “Our team has worked closely with the hospital to notify people who may have been exposed and prevent additional illnesses.”
Along with local public health staff, who lead investigations into cases and outbreaks of COVID-19, infection control specialists from DOH will provide technical assistance and support the hospital response. Public health and the hospital have also consulted with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public health authorities are recommending several mitigation measures, including ongoing COVID-19 testing for staff and patients, robust screening for staff, and limiting non-essential access to the facility. The hospital will post updates on its website at www.chifranciscan.org/
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s critical that everyone continues to stay home when possible and have fewer, shorter and safer interactions with others. That means keeping physical distance and wearing face coverings, the DOH adds in its news release.
Update
On Monday, the district confirmed that the COVID-19 outbreak at St. Michael Medical Center resulted in 45 positive cases of the virus, 30 from staff and 15 from patients – up from 23 and 12 initially. KPHD will update figures daily as it pertains to this outbreak.
On Aug. 4 an employee came down with the coronavirus, but no other cases were found.
On Aug. 13, five people reportedly had positive COVID-19 tests.
On Aug. 18 the virus spread to another unit.
Now there is ongoing testing for staff, restricted visitation and limited movement between the units.
