COVID-19
FAST ACCESS TO TREATMENT
The state Department of Health launched a telehealth program to make it easier for eligible residents to quickly access antiviral medications for COVID-19. Antivirals must be taken within the first five days of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and testing positive. To access the telehealth program, visit this website or call 1-800-525-0127.
COVID-19 TESTING
For testing sites in Kitsap County, please visit https://www.kitsapgov.com/Pages/Kitsap-COVID-19-Test-Site.aspx.
At home PCR tests are free-or covered by insurance-for people with COVID symptoms (however mild) that have had an exposure to someone with the virus. More information can be found here.
Looking for a COVID test for travel? Requirements vary by location and carrier, and PCR tests with quick results typically cost $100-$250. One local option is Indigo Urgent Care; information about testing options at https://www.indigourgentcare.com/covid-test#6. Discovery Health has travel testing locations in Seattle and Tacoma https://discoveryhealthmd.com/. Tool to search other options here: https://booking.trustassure.app/
PCR, Antigen-what COVID test is best? Both are important:
A molecular test is usually performed using a technique known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which works by rapidly making millions to billions of copies of viral-related DNA. If there are even small amounts of this genetic material in the sample, it will be detected. Molecular/PCR tests are very sensitive and they are also very specific. A positive test is almost never wrong in determining that SARS-CoV-2 is present. Tests can be done on samples taken by nasal or throat swabs.
Antigen tests (like the Binax self-test) is much less sensitive than the molecular/PCR test. There needs to be more virus present before the test will turn positive. This means that an antigen test may sometimes be falsely negative, meaning a negative result cannot always be trusted. A positive test, suggesting that the virus is present, is usually reliable, although even here false positives are more likely than with a molecular/PCR test.
Antigen tests are useful when taken in conjunction with PCR tests. They are a good early indicator of whether COVID is present—but not a conclusive one.
Further guidance from the Yale Medicine at https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/which-covid-test-is-accurate.
SCHEDULE A VACCINE APPOINTMENT BY PHONE
City of Poulsbo COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line: (360) 394-9794
If you or someone you know is looking for a vaccination and are struggling with the online appointment system, City of Poulsbo staff are able to assist you. This is a recorded message line, please leave a message and a someone will contact you within 2 business days. We’re especially eager to help seniors without internet access and people with limited English skills. Residents of North Kitsap only, please.
Kitsap Public Health Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line: (360) 728-2219
Call takers assist people who do not have internet or need additional help registering for Public Health vaccine clinics. Be aware that they are receiving a high volume of vaccine inquiries and may not be able to respond immediately.
SCHEDULE A VACCINE APPOINTMENT ONLINE
VACCINATE WA https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/
This search engine will help you find vaccinations throughout Kitsap County and Washington state.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that children and adults get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Information here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0618-children-vaccine.html#:~:text=Parents%20and%20caregivers%20can%20now,%2D19%2C%20should%20get%20vaccinated.
State guidance on K-12 schools and childcare here: https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/department-health-releases-updated-covid-19-guidance-k-12-schools-child-care?fbclid=IwAR2LYZKPWX8zZjbwzvVHLI4mRXNYHukTnNI7DQg0hOrtNxARVJvmKruMvjI
Looking for a 3rd or fourth dose of vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control recommends one for people 12 and older, and it’s especially important for seniors, people with certain underlying health conditions, and people who work in high risk positions (more details here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html)
How are we doing? As of August 2022 , around 71% of Kitsap residents have completed their primary series of vaccination. Around 38% of our total population has been boosted.
What can you do to help? Reach out to friends, relatives, and neighbors having trouble finding a vaccine. Many local appointments are available (and volunteers can help find them at the City’s appointment assistance line (360) 394-9795). Free rides to vaccinations are being offered by Kitsap Transit. Call (360) 479-7272 for more information. Finally, sign up for public safety notifications through the City’s NIXLE system. Test POULSBO to 888777 and stay up to date on important local health (and other) information.
Resources
Resources
ATTENTION – CUSTOMER RESOURCES
Kitsap County has received funding for eviction prevention and utility assistance for renters impacted by COVID-19, who are behind on rent and are at risk of losing their housing. To apply for assistance, please visit opens in a new windowwww.kcowa.us/kepa online or call 360-473-2035.
For additional resources available through Kitsap County, please opens in a new windowclick hereopens PDF file .
Health Information
Washington Department of Health operates a coronavirus hotline, with multiple language assistance, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 1-800-525-0127.
- For interpretative services, press # when they answer and say your language. For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing, or testing results, please contact your health care provider.
- Nuestra línea directa tiene acceso a servicios de interpretación telefónica en su idioma. Llame al 1-800-525-0127 y pulse #, cuando respondan, diga su idioma.
- Spanish: Nuevo coronavirus, BienestarWA, Chinese 中文, Russian: Pусский, Vietnamese: Vi-rút Corona Mới, Korean: 한국어, more translations…
Kitsap Public Health updates positive COVID-19 cases daily at 2:00 p.m. Click here for the latest COVID-19 test results and health information from Kitsap Public Health.
Updated symptoms of COVID-19 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its official list of COVID-19 symptoms. This is in addition to the previous official symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The newly-added symptoms are:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Health Information
Business & Unemployment Resources
Business Resources
- Kitsap Economic Development Alliance – Questions about your business? Click here to join KEDA’s Weekly Webinars, and access their COVID-19 page for the latest updates,information, reliable local, regional, state & national resources for businesses.
- Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan – Business guidance, county status, and what’s allowed to be open.
Unemployment Resources
Unemployment Claim Scams
There are reports of new cases of identity theft related to the recent unemployment benefits going out to people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve been informed of a fraudulent unemployment claim in your name, you should do the following:
- File a police report through the Poulsbo Police Department’s online incident reporting system: www.kitsap911.org/report.htm
- File a report with the Employment Security Department
- File a report with the FBI
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission
The best way to stay up to date on information about, updates to, and instructions on how to access Unemployment Insurance related to the COVID-19 outbreak is by subscribing to ESD’s COVID-19 action alerts.
You can also help your application process by doing these four things:
- Start with the website first before calling. The website is being updating the information regularly on their website and making it much easier to understand.
- Apply online if you can and read the information on the website before you apply. It will help applicants from getting stuck.
- Sign up for ESD’s COVID-19 action alerts for the most up-to-date information and changes.
- Apply for a job with ESD! Here’s a flyer with more information. They have amazing telework opportunities available on their customer service teams and, as you can tell from the volume, they need the help. These jobs can be done from anywhere in the state!
Key resources
- COVID-19 Page and FAQ – ESD has accumulated the top questions from businesses and claimants. This is an evolving treasure trove of answers and it is being updated daily. Please email esdconstituentservices@esd.wa.gov if you have a question not yet listed.
- Checklist for Applying for Unemployment Insurance – To help smooth your application process, please use the UI Checklist first.
- SharedWork – This is a powerful tool for your businesses to reduce their staff’s hours without having to lay them off. They can reduce the staff hours 10-50% and have Unemployment Insurance provide partial wage replacement for those reduced hours. New emergency rules are being announced for the program to include overtime exempt employees. These rules also allow new businesses as well as those who have outstanding debt to participate. Additionally, with the new Federal legislation, 100% of SharedWork costs will be covered by the Federal Government, therefore not affecting businesses’ experience rates. More information about SharedWork, including an online application, can be found here.
Stay Informed
Stay Informed:
- Health District COVID-19 updates by text or email: https://kitsappublichealth.org/CommunityHealth/CoronaVirus.php
- Kitsap County alerts: Sign up to get COVID-19 updates from Kitsap County by email or text.
- City of Poulsbo Facebook Updates – Like our Page
- Updates from Governor Inslee: https://www.governor.wa.gov/
- Sign up for public safety notifications through the City’s NIXLE system. Text POULSBO to 888777 and stay up to date on important local information.