Health District confirms 22 new cases of COVID-19 in Kitsap

South Kitsap had 10 of the 22 new cases Sunday

On Sunday, the Kitsap Public Health District confirmed 22 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total of positive tests to 2,241 since March.

South Kitsap reported 10 cases, while North Kitsap had three and Bainbridge Island one.

Over the past two weeks, Kitsap County’s positive case rate per 100,000 residents is 176.3, or 5.9 percent, meaning the county is at a “high level” of COVID-19 activity, per state guidelines, which are a case rate above 75 over the previous 14 days.

A total of 151 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.) 726 “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.)

The total number of negative tests is 63,079.

There have been 25 COVID related deaths, two of which were announced this week. All of the fatalities have been from individuals with underlying health conditions, the large majority over age 65.

Of the 2,241 total cases, 98 have been reported on Bainbridge Island, 595 in Bremerton, 563 in Central Kitsap, 373 in North Kitsap and 612 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.