The Joint Information Center of the KCEOC has over 200 informative signs displayed throughout Kitsap County to encourage residents to help stop the spread. Download the PDF poster in English or Spanish (en Español) to display at your Kitsap business, community facility, or outdoor spaces.
Volunteers are needed to staff Kitsap County Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) site for individuals who've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, and lack safe alternatives for housing. Q&I is maintained and managed by Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management as a key tool in the battle against the spread of COVID-19.
Volunteers are provided training on all appropriate PPE as well as on steps that minimize possible exposure. To help fill this vital need, please click here for more information or email volunteer@kitsapem.org.
We gathered Gov. Jay Inslee's guidelines for a Safe Start in one place, the
Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook, to make them easier for local businesses to find. The playbook is updated regularly, as new information and guidance becomes available. The latest version was updated on September 25, 2020.
The Pathway to Recovery Playbook was developed by the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management to help our community understand and safely embark upon our phased opening. It includes everything from overarching guidance for every individual and employer to industry-specific recommendations for each phase of the Safe Start recovery plan. Similar resources are in the state's
Safe Start COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Latest Updates
The daily update includes the latest COVID-19 testing results from Kitsap Public Health and a few headlines we think you should know about.
Subscribe to get daily updates by email or text.
Older Updates
Face Coverings
Free masks for qualifying households
As part of a statewide program, the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center received 106,000 cloth face masks to distribute to low-income individuals through local social service agencies and organizations starting July 1. Two free masks are available for every person with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. To access the free masks, call 2-1-1 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for direction to one of 66 distribution locations across the county.
Requirements for individuals
An
order from the secretary of health requires Washingtonians to wear face coverings in public spaces and shared spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Read guidance on cloth face coverings from the Department of Health.
Requirements for businesses/employers
How to report a concern
-
Visit Kitsap Public Health District's site to submit a concern about private individuals not following the masking requirements.
Quarantine and Isolation Care Center
The KCEOC has opened a temporary quarantine and isolation care center in South Kitsap for people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19. The facility can accept patients referred by healthcare providers or public health officials in Kitsap County.
Learn more about the care center and how it will help our community.
Scam Alerts and Rumor Control
How You Can Help (in addition to staying home)
Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's
Kitsap Cares page to find more ways to help other people during the coronavirus pandemic.
DONATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
HELP OTHERS - MUTUAL AID
Reach out via phone, text, email, or video chat to check on neighbors, friends, and family.
Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's
Kitsap Cares page for more ways to help people in our community.
Kitsap County Human Services Housing and Homelessness Division has created
resources for helping people living homeless.
DONATE BLOOD
APPLY YOUR MEDICAL SKILLS
Need Help by Phone?
If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press # from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.
You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.
Health Information and COVID-19 Data
KITSAP COUNTY
WASHINGTON STATE
FEDERAL
HEALTH INSURANCE
Get Help - Assistance & Resources for You and Your Family - Mortgage, Rental, Food, Mental Health, Caregiving, Childcare
Kitsap County has partnered with Kitsap Community Resources to distribute $525,000 in temporary financial rental and mortgage assistance to low-income county residents who have lost their jobs or are struggling financially due to the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Go to https://lnks.gd/2/JvLVxx for more information.
The
Washington State Coronavirus Resource page contains links to programs and services that may be helpful for Washingtonians who are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
You can find local community resources and assistance programs at the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE
A $641,438 grant from the federal CARES Act will provide up to three months of rental assistance for Kitsap County residents who make 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. The assistance is available to people affected by COVID-19 who are not receiving any other federal, state, or local housing subsidy.
To apply and for more information, click here.
The Washington State Department of Commerce also has
rental and energy assistance available for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
To find out if you qualify for rental or energy assistance funds, contact the Kitsap Housing Solutions Center, 360-473-2035, HSC@kcr.org or visit kcr.org.
For households residing in Housing Kitsap units, contact Housing Kitsap at 360-535-6100, HousingKitsap@HousingKitsap.org or visit HousingKitsap.org.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
All local school districts offer free grab and go meals to any child 18 and under (in some cases special education students age 21 and under also qualify). Check your local school district for instructions.
Also,
MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS HOTLINES, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE
The Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page has a list of free 24-hour hotlines that can help.
RENT, UTILITIES, INTERNET, MORTGAGES
CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING
Free childcare for families of healthcare workers and emergency responders may be available through local school districts. Contact your local school district for information.
Kitsap Community Resources offers childhood early learning services to families of first responders and medical personnel. Email
earlylearning@kcr.org or call 360-473-2075.
The state’s Families, Friends and Neighbor program includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors and others who help families by providing child care. Visit the website or call 866-482-4325 for more information.
Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for more local childcare options.
GROCERY SERVICES - DELIVERY AND SPECIAL HOURS
Most grocery stores have special at-risk customer shopping hours. Contact your local store directly to ask about these hours.
There are several local groups offering assistance with shopping and other errands. For more information, see the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.
GARBAGE SERVICES
Kitsap County
waste disposal and recycling facilities have resumed normal schedules with restrictions. Curbside collection services continue as normal. Contact the
service provider in your area to subscribe or learn about services.
OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES
Businesses and Worker Resources
Kitsap businesses have sacrificed much during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closure. Now as we move through the Stay Safe plan and get our economy moving again, we must continue to take safety precautions to protect our community and prevent a rebound of COVID-19 so our businesses can move towards recovery.
LOCAL RESOURCES
During the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closures, Kitsap chambers of commerce rallied to support local businesses in not only strengthening their resiliency but also implementing new and creative strategies to stay afloat while supporting their employees. Read their letter to the community.
The local chambers of commerce recently compiled a Back to Business Toolkit that offers a variety of resources for successfully reopening. Chambers are also promoting a new site at kitsapcovid19.com and a local COVID-19 Business Support Facebook page.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT- Small business grants are available for Kitsap businesses through Kitsap County, Kitsap cities and the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. Go to https://www.kitsapcaressmallbiz.com/ to learn more.
- Rental assistance is available through Kitsap County and the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. Visit www.KitsapCaresSmallBiz.com to register.
- The U.S. Small Business Association provides coronavirus relief funding options.
Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) is a federal program that adds $300 for each week the program remains federally funded (en Español).
If you receive unemployment benefits for certain weeks and you are unemployed or working fewer hours due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, you may be eligible for these benefits. The LWA program has a limited budget, so the length of time it's available depends on how quickly all participating states use up the federal funds.
Employment Security Department will start processing payments of $300 to eligible claimants for this new program on Monday, Sept. 21. Payments will be retroactive for all weeks for which the claimant was eligible, and for which funding is available from the federal government. Upon the processing date, eligible claimants will receive the funds as soon as their bank processes the payment. Refer to the Employment Security Department website for details.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS
How to accurately and quickly file for unemployment benefits
WorkFirst is Washington's temporary cash assistance program.
Some Washingtonians may also apply for the Disaster Cash Assistance Program. The assistance is available to all Washington families and people without children who meet the income and resource limits of the program.
PATHWAY TO RECOVERY PLAYBOOK - BUSINESS ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
Go to the Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook, to to find updated guidance for local businesses operating in Phase 2 of the state's Safe Start plan. They are also available on the state’s Safe Start page.
Businesses that are state licensed or certified professional should check with their licensing or certifying state agency for guidance. If no state guidance is available yet, the business cannot open under the governor's plan.
ASK A QUESTION
WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES
Visit the Safe Start page to read available plans and guidance for reopening certain industries.
Department of Health Mask and Face Coverings guidance and resources and
frequently asked questions.
Which mask for which task? Guidance from Washington State Labor & Industries on when to use face coverings and respirators.
Association of
Washington Businesses Rebound and Recovery PPE Marketplace connects businesses with manufacturers who supply PPE, providing the opportunity to purchase equipment for employers and their employees so businesses can open safely.
Find coronavirus resources for Washington businesses and workers, including eviction protection, loans, unemployment benefits, CARES Act, paid leave, taxes, insurance, federal paycheck protection, debt relief, and more.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued COVID-specific guidance for the grocery and retail industry and general guidance for workplaces.
Nonprofits & Homeless Service Provider Resources
Apartments, Condos, and Similar Residences - Resources
King County Health District:
COVID-19: For managers, staff, and residents of apartment buildings, condominiums, and similar residential communities
Important Closures
Transportation
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
View COVID-19 Updates from Washington State Ferries
KITSAP TRANSIT
Starting on Monday, May 4, until further notice, Kitsap Transit will require all Worker/Driver passengers to wear a face covering to ride this service.
Kitsap Transit has temporarily reduced services. They are providing free fares through June 30.
View Kitsap Transit updates.
Other Languages
Have more questions about COVID-19? Call the Washington State hotline: 1-800-525-0127. For interpretative services, press # when they answer and say your language. (Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing, or testing results, please contact your health care provider.
El Distrito de Salud Pública de Kitsap ha creado una
nueva página de información COVID-19 en Español. La página incluye estadísticas locales de COVID-19, hojas informativas y enlaces a recursos adicionales.
Cities and Tribes of Kitsap County
City residents and tribal members can find additional resources and information using the links below.
City of Bremerton:
View coronavirus information.
City of Port Orchard:
View coronavirus information.
City of Poulsbo:
View coronavirus information.
City of Bainbridge Island:
View coronavirus information.
Suquamish Tribe:
View coronavirus information.
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe:
View coronavirus information.
About this page
This page is designed to help Kitsap County residents find government information and assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. It is maintained by the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center and updated daily with new resources. Kitsap EOC includes members from Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Kitsap 911, Law Enforcement, and Kitsap Fire Chiefs Association.
Visit the
Kitsap Cares page to find available resources from community groups and nonprofits.
