Cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 are decreasing in the Seattle metro area, but hospital leaders are warning that the variant is gaining steam in eastern Washington and could further stress health care facilities.
In King County, data shows the rise in omicron infections peaked on Jan. 10 with 7,563 daily cases, The Seattle Times . Since then, the county has charted a significant decline, dropping at least 43% in the past week.
Hospitalizations in King County were also showing signs of slowing, county health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said Tuesday. COVID-19 levels in the county remain far higher than those during past pandemic waves, he said. Taya Briley, vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association, said in a news briefing that hospitals are bracing for “the second chapter” of the omicron surge in eastern Washington and Idaho.