Statewide groups raise alarm over Washington hospital capacity as COVID on the rise

Jayson Dick, the Associate Director of Labor Advocacy at the Washington State Nurses Association is concerned about the resources it will take to handle the growing number of cases.

"Hospital preparedness is more than having enough beds and ventilators. It's about having enough staff to take care of patients,” Dick said.

The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents over 17,000 nurses, is hearing the concerns from the frontlines.

"We have two hospitals that have already seen significant COVID-19 outbreaks,” he said.

As of Nov. 9, St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton had four patients and two employees who have tested positive for coronavirus in the 3 West Unit. St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma uncovered a total of 12 employees who have tested positive as a result of community spread.

Washington State Nurses Association says it has heard of hospitals struggling with PPE.

"We need the equipment. We need the staffing, and we need to be taken care of so that we can make sure that our patients are getting the best care possible,” Dick said.