Washington hospitals ‘quite full’ amid COVID-19 case surge

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington State Hospital Association officials say the latest COVID-19 surge in cases causing serious illness in the unvaccinated is straining the state’s health care system. KING-5 reports in a briefing Monday Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer said their board of directors is urging hospitals and health care providers to require their employees get the vaccine, with very few exceptions. She said the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations is scary, physically draining and emotionally draining for health care workers. Washington State Medical Association President Dr. Nathan Schlicher also said he supported providers requiring employees to get vaccinated, saying patients should be confident about going to the hospital without “leaving sicker.”