On Wednesday, the Kitsap Public Health District confirmed 43 new COVID cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the countywide total to 15,946 since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

Of the new cases, North Kitsap had six and Bainbridge Island three; 13 were in South Kitsap, 11 in Bremerton; and 10 in Central Kitsap.

The health district noted an active outbreak of 29 cases at the assisted-living facility Madrona House on Bainbridge Island and an outbreak of 28 cases at Poulsbo’s Liberty Shores senior center. Outbreaks are listed as “active” if an associated case has been identified in the previous 28 days.

Over the last week, the county’s case rate per 100,000 residents has dropped to 162.9. A total of 531 cases are in their recommended “isolation period” (10 days after first symptoms.) To date, the number of Kitsap County residents ages 12 and older who have initiated vaccination is 73.5%.

Of the 15,946 total cases, 579 have been reported on Bainbridge Island, 4,296 in Bremerton, 3,564 in Central Kitsap, 2,438 in North Kitsap and 5,058 in South Kitsap. 11 cases have come from unknown areas of the county.

There have been 205 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began and 159 since the start of the new year. Details of the three most-recent deaths have not yet been provided by the health district. Of the previous 202 deaths, 88 were ages 80 and older, 49 ages 70-79, 35 ages 60-69, 20 ages 50-59, six ages 40-49 and four ages 30-39.