BELLINGHAM, Wash. – PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center says they continue to see a high number of patients suffering from COVID-19.
The hospital posts that they were caring for 37 COVID patients last week.
Of those, 34 were unvaccinated while just 3 were fully vaccinated.
Whatcom County Health Department Director Erika Lautenbach says these high hospitalization rates divert a lot of resources.
“If you get in a car accident or you fall off the roof and break your leg,” says Lautenbach. “It’s harder and harder statewide to find a bed where you can be treated for these emergent and unexpected issues.
She and PeaceHealth stress that the most effective way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization with the virus is to get vaccinated.