Hospitals in Washington State issued an urgent plea to the public asking residents to do their part and reduce the pressure on health care facilities overwhelmed by the coronavirus.
In a statement released on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, King County hospitals underscored the rapid increase in illness in the state, citing data that hospitalizations were up 700 percent.
Along with capacity issues, they’re experiencing staff shortages.
“The sheer number of patients means hospital acute care and ICUs across the state are very full,” Washington State Hospital Association President and CEO Cassie Sauer said.
The group told citizens they needed to get vaccinated, get a booster if they are vaccinated, wear a N95 or KN95 mask and avoid crowded indoor areas.
“The patients most severely impacted by COVID-19 are almost all unvaccinated and unboosted. If you haven’t yet, please get vaccinated,” Sauer said. Read story here
Photo: The state has deployed National Guardsmen to help with hospital staffing shortages