COVID-19 outbreak in Kitsap jail infected 13 inmates, three remain in isolation – Kitsap Sun

An active COVID-19 outbreak in the Kitsap County Jail has infected 13 inmates, the county health district first reported late last month, showing the persistence of the coronavirus in closed settings despite the widespread availability of vaccines.

The Kitsap County Public Works department also reported an outbreak of 11 employees.

Sgt. Ken Dickinson, a spokesperson for the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office, said the outbreak appears to have started in the jails kitchen and was discovered June 27 after an inmate began showing symptoms.

Where the infection came from, I dont think we know, Dickinson said.

The infected inmates were isolated, and all but three have been returned to their dorm, which is also being monitored, Dickinson said Friday.

No inmates were hospitalized and no staff were known to catchthe virus during the outbreak, Dickinson said.

Masks are required under certain circumstances in the jail, despite the loosening of restrictions around the state.

Officers dont have to wear masks all the time, but they are required to wear masks if they cannot social distance and when they enter housing units, Dickinson said. While in their housing units, inmates are not required to wear masks. If they come out of the units or talk to an officer, they are required to wear a mask.

The Kitsap Public Health District first received word of the cases connected to this outbreak on June 27. Eleven cases were confirmed as of June 30 when the outbreak was first listed publicly by the district. One more case was added on Wednesday when the district updated the number of infections to 12.

Tad Sooter, a spokespersonfor the district, said the 13th case was added to the total after Wednesdays update.

Dickinson said it was the jails first outbreak since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020.

I think weve had staff in the past, but they just didnt come to work, he said. With inmates, this is the first time we have had a large number.

Dickinson credited jail staff and safety protocols for keeping down the number of infections, including testing inmates upon booking and keeping groups of new arrivals in isolation for 10 days before placing them in housing dorms.

Among the steps taken by authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19 was to reduce the population of the jail by releasing those held on non-violent offenses with low bail.

At the outset of the pandemic in early 2020, authorities beganreleasing inmates being held on minor offenses or with low bail to reduce the overall population ofthe jail. Those facing serious charges, serving sentences of less than a year andthose accused of violating the conditions of their release or failing to show for court remainin jail.

On March 1, 2020, the jail population was 399, which is the approximate capacity for the facility. Within three weeks the population dropped to 225, Dickinson said, and kept dropping to a low of 147 in April. Since then the number has climbed back up, with an average count of 241 inmates since March 2020.

Dickinson said at the time of the outbreak the population was about 248, which was the count as of Friday.

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COVID-19 outbreak in Kitsap jail infected 13 inmates, three remain in isolation - Kitsap Sun