State Sees Sharp Rise in COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations; Those Infirmed Less Sick

COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising fast in Washington State since the Omicron variant became widespread.

Numbers from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) show an 88 percent increase in the past month (664 on a 7 average on Dec. 1 vs. 1,248 on Dec. 31).

Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer says she's encouraged that people don't seem to be as sick as they were during the peak of the Delta strain outbreak.

"People can come to the ER, and some can be treated and sent home," Sauer said. "And some are admitted, but for a short time, and they don't need ICU care."

Sauer thinks the spike in hospitalizations is alarming, although the level is still below the high reached under the Delta strain.

WSHA is also reporting that hospitals are mostly full across the state and staffing levels are especially tight, largely because medical workers themselves are being infected with COVID-19.

Sauer says the situation is straining the ability for hospitals to accommodate any new virus patients.

"So we do not at this moment have room to care for even a small number of new COVID patients," Sauer said. "And we expect those numbers to keep climbing."

She says the high number medical workers calling in sick is worrisome for all hospitals.

In addition, daily new COVID-19 cases are rising sharply, having quadrupled in the last month in Washington State (From 2,000/day in Dec. 1 to 8,000/day on Dec. 31)

Sauer made her comments during a COVID-19 briefing from the Hospital Association Thursday morning.