Hundreds of students and school staff are quarantined as the pandemic intensifies in the Inland Northwest

The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents nurses at local hospitals and the health district, released a statement on Friday calling on elected officials and hospital systems to address concerns about personal protective equipment, paid leave for sick nurses and timely testing.

“The Washington State Nurses Association shares the concerns voiced by public officials about the winter surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and what this could mean for our health care system,” a statement from the union said. “If we are to successfully confront this new surge and maintain staffing, it is critical that nurses and other health care workers are equipped and supported to continue providing care.”