Six Kitsap residents now being tested for COVID-19

Test results expected in 48-72 hours

Six Kitsap County residents are now being tested for COVID-19 through the state’s public health laboratory in Shoreline as of Wednesday morning, according to the Kitsap Public Health District.

KPHD originally reported Tuesday that three county residents were being tested for the virus but that number has since doubled as of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night. Pending tests only include tests submitted to the state public health lab in Shoreline. The health district is not involved in facilitating testing at the University of Washington.

Testing for individuals was requested by health care providers and coordinated by KPHD and the Washington State Department of Health. Test results are expected in 48 to 72 hours. Kitsap Public Health will update its website at 11 a.m. each day with the number of pending tests and any confirmed cases in the county.

In Washington, COVID-19 testing is only being done at the state public health lab in Shoreline and at the University of Washington. Because testing capacity is limited, not everyone who has COVID-19 symptoms will be tested, according to KPHD.

Criteria for testing is guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is determined by the state Department of Health.

“Testing guidelines are changing rapidly,” the release states.

When a local health care provider requests COVID-19 testing for a patient, Kitsap Public Health District works with the State Department of Health to determine if the case meets the criteria for testing. The State Department of Health gives final approval for testing.