News & Information

COVID-19 Testing Results Update for Kitsap County as of 2 p.m. June 11

Now is the time to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Visit Kitsap County Public Health at kcowa.us/vaccine and sign up for vaccine updates from Kitsap Public Health here.

Community-based COVID-19 drive-thru testing is available Mondays and Thursdays at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Learn more and pre-register at kcowa.us/covidtesting.

¿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

Get vaccinated and ride Kitsap Transit buses and ferries FREE for a month

Starting on Monday, June 14, anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 through a participating provider in Kitsap County is eligible to receive a "vaccination voucher" that can be redeemed for a combo bus/ferry pass good for use on all of Kitsap Transit's services in any month from June 2021 through May 2022.

The following providers are participating in Kitsap Transit's Vaccination Pass promotion at certain locations in Kitsap County, including pop-up clinics:

  • Kaiser Permanente: 19379 7th Ave NE, Poulsbo; 1400 Pottery Ave, Port Orchard; 10452 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale

  • Kitsap Public Health District: St. Michael Medical Center, 2520 Cherry Ave, Bremerton; Olympic College (Poulsbo campus), 1000 NW Olympic College Way, Poulsbo

  • Peninsula Community Health Services: The Gateway Center, 2525 6th St, Bremerton

Those who received COVID-19 vaccination earlier in the year are not eligible for the vouchers. The intention of Kitsap Transit's promotion is to accelerate the share of Kitsap County residents who are vaccinated against COVID-19.

For additional details about the Vaccination Pass promotion, including promotion rules, visit Kitsap Transit's website or call (360) 373-2877 or (800) 501-RIDE.

To book an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccine, contact a participating provider or visit Kitsap Public Health District's website at kcowa.us/vaccine.

Expanded eligibility for Family Emergency Assistance Program continues

Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday extended a proclamation allowing for the expansion of the Family Emergency Assistance Program to assist families both with and without children.

The proclamation goes into effect on June 14, and remains in effect until June 30 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. See the governor's news release for more details. Read the full proclamation here.

Job search requirements return in early July

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the governor, with support from the Legislature, suspended the job search requirement at the start of the pandemic. The suspension has been extended ever since.

With the economy recovering, the job search requirement is going back into effect. This means those receiving unemployment benefits will be required to look for work and document at least three approved job search activities each week in order to remain eligible. Job search activities must resume the week of July 4-10.

Learn more about job search requirements and review the list of acceptable job search activities on the Employment Security Department website.

Two doses are key

Washington's COVID-19 vaccination numbers are rising every week, with over 7 million doses given, and thousands more getting the vaccine every day.

If you already got a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, it’s important to make sure you get your second one. Just getting the first dose isn’t enough. It is very important to get both doses so your body can fight the virus if you get infected. Skipping the second dose leaves you vulnerable to the virus, especially with new variants circulating.

You need to wait three to four weeks between shots:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart

  • Moderna doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart

Plan your second shot as close as possible to the recommended time above, but no sooner. If you are late for your second dose, you won’t have to start over. What’s most important is that you get both doses, no matter how far apart they are. It’s better to get your second shot late than not at all.

Gathering safely once vaccinated

Fully vaccinated people are well protected against COVID-19. Gatherings are likely safe between fully vaccinated people. However, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people should keep following public health measures like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart, and avoiding crowds.

Please also keep in mind that some people may not feel comfortable gathering – even in low-risk settings. Others may not want hugs and handshakes yet. Some people will want to continue wearing masks. And that’s ok. Everyone is adjusting to the new normal and we all just want to stay safe and protect our loved ones.

The guidance for gatherings of unvaccinated people has not changed. Unvaccinated people should always keep gatherings small, meet outdoors, wear well-fitted masks, and maintain physical distance (6 feet / 2 meters).

See more tips on gathering safely once vaccinated for you and your family from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Additional information including vaccine FAQ's is available on DOH's Life After Vaccine webpage.

 

 

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