BELLINGHAM, Wash. – PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center’s chief medical officer says COVID-19 infection rates are on the way back up in Whatcom County.
“There was a time at St. Joe’s when we got to zero COVID patients and we are at 14 patients today,” said Dr. Sudhakar Karlapudi. “And what that tells me is that this disease is still there and it can still make people sick and can still cause death.”
Karlapudi says they’re seeing a surge of patients in the ER with ailments other than COVID.
“Usually it’s around 85 to 95 percent capacity,” said Karlapudi. “And for the past few days we are well over 100 percent.”
He says that’s something they didn’t even see at the height of the pandemic, but that St. Joe’s will treat anyone who requires hospitalization.
Karlapudi does ask that patients seek treatment in doctors’ offices or other facilities before using the Emergency Room if possible.
And he encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted, and to wear masks in crowded situations.