Kitsap Sun staff

The latest update from the Kitsap Public Health District shows that 20 of the county's residents have received positive COVID-19 tests.

The newest cases revealed on Monday were:

a Bremerton resident in their 20s, and

a Central Kitsap resident in their 40s

So far, there have been 549 negative tests in the county.

Also on Monday, Mason County Public Health said that a second Mason County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

The health district was notified on Monday that a female in her 70s tested positive, according to a press release The patient is isolating at home and Mason County Public Health is working to inform those who may have come into contact with the woman.

Mason County Public Health announced its first case on March 17.

Kitsap Mall to close until April 6

The Kitsap Mall announced on Monday that it would be closing as of 7 p.m. on Monday and will reopen on April 6.

The mall said some of its restaurants and retailers may be open to provide essential services, and it urged customers to reach out to each one to check on its operation during the mall's closure.

"Please check with our center’s restaurants or other service retailers as they may be open at various hours to provide essential services for Silverdale and its surrounding neighborhoods," the mall said in a press release.

"Our management teams will continue to work together and closely monitor this situation, adhere to national guidelines, and partner with local health officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of our communities," it said.

More:Watch live at 5:30 p.m.: Gov. Jay Inslee to deliver state speech amid coronavirus outbreak

City of Bremerton expands park closures

The city of Bremerton further limited the use of its parks, playgrounds and trails on Monday.

The city announced that with heavy use and crowding in parks, the parks department has closed off access to playground equipment, parks, trails and open spaces.

The closure includes picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts, and other active recreation locations where people are in close contact with one another. Pick-up games, picnics, and other large gatherings will not be permitted.

"The city is not able to disinfect and sanitize playground equipment in a manner that can comply with public health guidelines," it said in a press release. Also canceled is programming, rentals, leagues, activities and permitted park events. The Sheridan Park Community Center, the Bremerton Senior Center, and all public restrooms in parks have also been closed.

County parks open, but playground equipment not disinfected

The Kitsap County Parks Department on Monday said its parks would remain open during COVID-19 but urged users to take precautions.

It asked users of parks to practice social distancing while in the parks and on the trails, staying 6 feet away from each other. It urged against gathering in groups. It also noted that neither playgrounds nor play equipment is wiped down or cleaned and urged users to bring wipes and hand sanitizer to protect children.

More:The time has come to isolate your children, one Kitsap pediatrician advises

"Staff are working to ensure everyone has clean and usable parks to enjoy and will continue to monitor and clear trash as needed," the county said in a press release. For more, go to https://www.kitsapgov.com/parks.

Ferries to stay on winter schedule

Washington State Ferries on Monday said all state ferries will stay operating on winter sailing schedule through at least April 25. The spring season, which includes increased service on some routes, was originally scheduled to begin March 29.

Kitsap routes affected include the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. Typically, a third vessel is added on the weekend schedule.

The extension of the winter sailing schedules prepares WSF for effects of COVID-19 that could disrupt service, including:

a significant decrease in ridership because of public health recommendations

availability of sufficient crew personnel to meet federal requirements

a significant decrease in ridership because of public health recommendations

availability of sufficient crew personnel to meet federal requirements.

County urges pausing non-essential waste trips

Kitsap County waste facilities had higher-than-normal use over the weekend, according to officials with the Kitsap County Solid Waste Division. As a result, it is asking people to avoid bringing unnecessary waste to the county-owned facilities right now.

Spring cleaning during quarantine brought many people to the county's waste facilities, the county said in an email, and the hauling of unnecessary items to those facilities has the potential to fill up containers and also means more unnecessary contact for waste facility employees during a time when social-distancing is recommended.

"Some people (many of whom are seniors) use waste facilities for their everyday household trash. At our smaller facilities, bulky items like mattresses fill up the containers and can prevent others from disposing of their everyday household trash," the county said in the email.

It asks that the only waste that is brought to the facility is "waste that can rot, cause odor, or attract pests (food, diapers) or that poses another public health risk."

"If you cannot postpone your visit to a waste facility, stay at least 6 feet away from others. Allow only one person outside your vehicle. Sanitize what you touch, and our staff will do the same."

State campgrounds to close through April 30

The state announced on Sunday that campgrounds at state parks would be closed to campers through April 30.

No new campers will be allowed into state parks, Department of Fish and Wildlife or state Department of Natural Resources land as of Monday. Current campers will be phased out following instructions from lands officials.

Day-use areas and trails remain open, but parks officials asked the public to avoid state parks and the state's ocean beaches, which have seen large volumes of visitors since social-distancing policies went into effect.

Visitors can find the latest information about State Park operations at parks.state.wa.us/COVID19.

Support coverage of local news by signing up today for a digital subscription.