YAKIMA, Wash. – Hospitals in Yakima County, which has the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in Washington state, are beyond capacity with sick patients.
Virginia Mason Memorial hospital in Yakima, which holds more than 200 beds, had none available as of Thursday night, intensive care or otherwise, the Yakima Health District said in a statement late Friday.
The Seattle Times reports at least 17 patients had already been transferred out of the county.
That leaves a total of 61 individuals in hospital beds with positive COVID-19 diagnoses, the county’s highest to date.
Yakima County remains Washington state’s hot spot for the virus. The county now represents 22% of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Washington (61 of 242 cases), a higher tally than King County.
While we’re encouraged to wear masks while out in public residents of Yakima County will soon be ordered to.
Governor Jay Inslee says he will issue a proclamation ordering people there to wear masks while out in an effort to halt the spike of coronavirus cases.
Under the order, businesses in Yakima County won’t be allowed to sell goods or services to customers who don’t wear face coverings.
Inslee says cases could double there in the next two weeks if dramatic actions aren’t taken.