COVID-19

COVID-19 TESTING

COVID Drive-Thru Testing at Poulsbo City Hall: The Kitsap Public Health Department and County Emergency Operations Center are offering drive up COVID tests at Poulsbo City Hall garage on Thursdays from 9am to 1pm. Tests are by appointment and can be made at https://www.kitsapgov.com/Pages/Kitsap-COVID-19-Test-Site.aspx. Tests are free and/or covered by insurance and available to anyone meeting testing criteria. Please note: there will be no public parking at City Hall garage on testing days.

Drive Through Testing is available on Bainbridge Island every Monday, Bremerton every Tuesday, and Port Orchard every Wednesday. Reservations for all sites can be made here: https://www.testdirectly.com/patient/search/provider_search

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.

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 Department of Health here.

SCHEDULE A VACCINE APPOINTMENT BY PHONE

City of Poulsbo COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line: (360) 394-9795
If you or someone you know is looking for a vaccination and are struggling with the online appointment system, City of Poulsbo staff and volunteers from North Point Church are able to assist you. This is a recorded message line, please leave a message and a volunteer 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.

KITSAP PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT https://kphd.timetap.com/#/
Kitsap Public Health District is offering vaccines throughout the County.  You can also sign up on this page for updates about additional clinic openings and enter your name on a wait list. See the link “Please sign up for Updates.” Choose either email or text to receive the notifications.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone 12 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. (Pfizer is the only approved vaccine for 12-17 year-olds at present). Kitsap County is currently deemed very high risk for infection; getting a vaccine, wearing a mask if you are not vaccinated, and continuing to get tested if you have COVID symptoms will help us stop the spread.

Looking for a 3rd dose of vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control recommends one for people who have weakened immune systems. The third dose is not considered a booster, rather an additional dose for individuals who did not adequately develop immunities with the initial two-dose series. A full list of conditions is available on the CDC’s website. 3rd dose booster shots will be made widely available after September 20.

How are we doing? As of August 27, around 68% of Kitsap residents 12 and older have received their first vaccination and around 63% are fully vaccinated. According to public health experts, we need at least 70% of the population to be immune to COVID-19 to keep our infection rate down without restrictions on activities. Check here for updates: https://kitsappublichealth.org/communityHealth/EpiData/EpiDataCOVID19Vaccinations.php

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.