Bremerton hospital reports outbreak of 45 cases of COVID-19

Published 5:38 am Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Bainbridge Island Review

Kitsap Public Health District has confirmed that a COVID-19 outbreak at St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton resulted in 45 positive cases of the virus — 30 from staff and 15 from patients.

The health district and the state Department of Health are working with the center to contain the outbreak.

The first case linked to the outbreak was reported late last week. The outbreak has affected multiple units at the hospital. Patients who were discharged from the impacted units have been notified.

“St. Michael provides vital services to our community, and we are taking this situation extremely seriously,” said Dr. Gib Morrow, health officer for the district. “Our team has worked closely with the hospital to notify people who may have been exposed and prevent additional illnesses.”

Along with local public health staff, infection control specialists from the state Department of Health will provide technical assistance and support the hospital response. Public health and the hospital have also consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health authorities are recommending several mitigation measures, including ongoing COVID-19 testing for staff and patients, robust screening for staff, and limiting non-essential access to the facility. The hospital will post updates on its website at www.chifranciscan.org/.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s critical that everyone continues to stay home when possible and have fewer, shorter and safer interactions with others. That means keeping physical distance and wearing face coverings, the DOH adds in its news release.

Timeline

• Aug. 4: One employee came down with the coronavirus, but no other cases were found.

• Aug. 13: Five people reportedly had positive COVID-19 tests.

• Aug. 18: The virus spread to another unit.

Currently, there is ongoing testing for staff, restricted visitation and limited movement between the units.

This story originally appeared in the Bainbridge Island Review, a sister publication to The Herald.