Idaho COVID-19 Patients Being Outsourced to Washington

COVID-19 patients from Idaho are being outsourced to Washington, even though Washington is dealing with its own back-up of caseloads, according to new reporting from the New York Times.

Hospitals in northern Idaho are so overwhelmed with virus patients that they're now in a crisis standard of care, which means they're authorized to ration the care they offer.

The Times reports Idaho now has more than 600 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, which is about 20 percent higher than a previous peak in December.

Idaho has one of the lowest vaccination rates of any state in the country while Washington has one of the highest.

The problem is most acute in Northern Idaho.

The state does not have any of the restriction that were recently ordered in Washington by Governor Jay Inslee, including mask and vaccination mandates.

The Times reports Idaho Governor Brad Little has no plans impose any virus virus restrictions, even if hospitals became dangerously burdened with patients. Little released a statement a statement Friday saying he was exploring legal action to block President Biden new orders which will require millions of people to be vaccinated.

Washington is also dealing with record COVID-19 hospitalizations, especially in the eastern portion of the state. Central Washington Hospital recently shattered it record, reporting 58 patients last week.