MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital is reaching capacity due to an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and RSV, a Wednesday news release said.
MultiCare urges people with non-life-threatening symptoms to see their primary care providers or urgent care clinics, so their emergency department can focus on the sickest people in the community, the release said.
Marcus Perry, communications specialist for MultiCare in Yakima, said the hospital is requiring patients, staff and visitors to wear face masks in patient care areas.
In addition, MultiCare reminds the public to take basic precautions during respiratory illness season, such as not touching your face, staying away from sick people and staying home if you develop symptoms. Wash your hands often.
Yakima County hospitals had 124 positive flu tests from Dec. 22-28, more than double the prior week's 53 cases, according to the Yakima Health District. The hospitals reported 30 positive RSV tests during the same time period, down from 45 the prior week.
The totals include test results from Yakima Memorial and the Astria hospitals in Sunnyside and Toppenish, but not private providers, the health district said.
Memorial has broken ground to build a second emergency department in Union Gap.