SEATTLE, Wash. — Washington hospitals are facing a staff shortage here as demand for beds could be increasing.

Cassie Sauer is with the Washington State Hospital Association and she told KIRO that while hospital beds are available, that’s not the whole picture.

She says hospitals can make room but what’s missing is enough staff, especially those who know how to care for patients in acute respiratory distress.

Dr. Chris Dale, the chief quality officer at Swedish Medical Center, said they’re most closely watching ICU nurses and respiratory therapists.

There is a 34 state pact for sharing nurses without added paperwork, but the Washington State legislature has not voted to join it.

KIRO reports the Washington State Nurses Association is against joining the pact.

Hospital availability is holding steady in the north region of Whatcom and Skagit County.

As of Sunday, the state’s risk dashboard showed 23% of adult ICU capacity available, with 19% of all adult beds open.

The state health department showed 65 now positive coronavirus tests for Whatcom County Sunday, the most recent data available.

One county COVID-19 death has been reported in the last month.