In week ending January 11, local indicators for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remained high, but have begun to decrease; however, multiple Washington counties have recently reported influenza-associated deaths, including Kitsap County. Indicators for COVID-19 remained minimal. Regional laboratory surveillance most frequently detected Influenza A among clinical respiratory specimens. Elevated pertussis activity continues to be reported throughout Washington State, and Kitsap Public Health is aware of local transmission in at least one Kitsap school.
2.6% of emergency department (ED) visits were attributable to influenza, 0.7% of ED visits were attributable to RSV, and fewer than 10 visits were attributable to COVID-19. Kitsap sentinel reporting labs reported 21 positive COVID-19 tests (3.6% of specimens tested), 138 positive influenza tests (126 influenza A, 12 influenza B; 22.7% of specimens tested), and 27 positive RSV tests (11.9% of specimens tested).
On average, fewer than 10 hospital beds at St. Michael Medical Center were in use per day for COVID-19 or influenza patients.
At Kitsap long-term care facilities, there have been two COVID-19 outbreaks reported in the past four reporting weeks, and no influenza outbreaks.