BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Hospitals across the state are reporting another spike in COVID-19 cases.
The News Tribune reports that the recent increase is not only impacting people seeking COVID-19 care, but also those seeking treatments for other health emergencies.
Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer says at the end of last week, almost 600 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals across the state, with about 20-25 patients a day on ventilators.
That compares with an average of around 230 hospitalized cases daily in April.
Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center is also dealing with an influx of patients, especially in the ER.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sudhakar Karlapudi implored people to wear high-quality masks indoors in crowded, public spaces, and to get COVID-19 booster shots.