Washington state scrambles to secure hospital beds, supplies
SEATTLE (AP) — Health officials across Washington state are scrambling to secure hospital beds, staff and critical supplies as the number of people sickened by the new coronavirus continues to grow.
Washington has about 13,000 hospital beds, which won't be enough to support the expected surge in COVID-19 cases, so officials are implementing a list of measures to expand capacity. More than 1,100 people have tested positive in Washington state and 67 have died, the most in the U.S.
“Hospitals are doing all they can to reduce their in-patient numbers so they can be ready to accept more patients,” said Amy Reynolds, a spokesperson with the Washington Department of Health. “Our objective is to maintain patient care within licensed health care facilities."
Health officials also sought supplies for workers — masks, gowns, gloves — from the federal government every time they get the green light to do so, which is about once a week, according to Jessica Baggett, a spokeswoman for the state’s joint information center.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/washington-state-scrambles-to-secure-hospital-beds-supplies/ar-BB11nyBB