Many hospitals in Washington and Oregon are struggling at capacity levels, with the current surge in COVID-19, even though hospitalizations are less than half of the load in fall 2021. These states in the Pacific Northwest are among the lowest in the U.S. in licensed hospital beds per thousand residents, and with the burden of the pandemic, are now very stretched, especially for staff. In many places, the beds and facilities are there, but no staff.
The Washington State Hospital Association reports that many hospitals are at 120-130% capacity, according to an Oregon Public Broadcasting report of July 21.
