'Tripledemic' strains resources at Snohomish County hospitals
EVERETT — A steady surge of patients sickened by flu, COVID and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is pushing the state’s health care system to its limits, causing long delays in emergency rooms and forcing some hospitals to transfer patients due to a lack of beds.
Elina Lazo, chief nursing officer at Swedish Edmonds, said at a news conference Wednesday: “It seems that each day we’re setting a new record with the number of patients in our ED. We have dozens of patients boarding in the emergency department and dozens more waiting to be seen.”
In response, state and local health officials held separate news conferences this week, stepping up calls for residents to get flu and COVID vaccinations, as well as to wear masks inside to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.
“It’s extremely important that the community understand the strain that’s currently on the health care system and the urgent need for all of us to do our part to prevent severe illness,” said Dr. James Lewis, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/tripledemic-strains-resources-at-snohomish-county-hospitals/