Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs News Release - Washington Veterans Home Positive Resident

December 29, 2021

Washington Veterans Home, Port Orchard:

We have confirmed that one Resident has tested positive after returning to the Facility from home. In addition, seven staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19.  Residents on the affected units will be proactively tested. We are working closely with the Kitsap Public Health District and following guidance from them, the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS), and our State Department of Health to ensure we are safeguarding our residents and staff.

Residents in the affected area will have repeat testing performed and will be screened and monitored for symptoms regularly. Staff are tested twice each week and are also paying close attention to whether they have any symptoms, including the presence of a fever. As part of our ongoing screening process, all staff are screened upon arrival at work each day. This process includes a series of questions around whether symptoms are present and a temperature check.  In addition, staff are asked to report any symptoms that occur after coming to work. 

All staff are wearing appropriate PPE and we have adequate supplies of all PPE.  Additional environmental cleaning continues to take place. 

As a part of our continued effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the State Veterans Homes are vaccine administrators and are providing COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. We encourage all residents, staff, and community members to consider getting vaccinated and getting a booster for COVID-19.

In an effort to provide information as quickly and accurately as possible, we have developed a website to provide information to families and resident representatives, https://www.dva.wa.gov/covid.

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Media Contact

Heidi Audette

Communications and Legislative Director

(360) 791-8966 – cell

heidia@dva.wa.gov