Dispute over COVID test sparks protest that locks down hospital, Washington cops say

A protest about allegations a woman in her 70s had been held against her wishes after refusing a COVID-19 test locked down a Washington hospital on Friday night, authorities say.

Thirty to 40 people, described as “exceptionally unreasonable” anti-vaccine protesters by deputies, livestreamed their protest at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, KOIN reported.

Some wore gas masks and openly carried firearms, while others tried to force their way inside the hospital, KPTV reported.

The livestream of the protest attracted thousands of viewers after it was shared on the page of Ammon Bundy, who took part in an armed takeover of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016, The Oregonian reported.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded to the hospital, which locked down, allowing people to leave but not to enter the building, KOIN reported.

The protest began after a livestream was posted saying a woman who refused a COVID-19 test after being admitted for treatment was being held against her will, KATU reported.

She was placed in 24-hour quarantine, The Oregonian reported. The woman’s daughter, who refused to wear a face mask, was not allowed to visit her.

As the protest began outside, a deputy investigating a 911 call about the situation talked to the patient, who said she wanted to stay in the hospital, KATU reported.

But as the protest grew outside, the patient asked to leave and was discharged at 8:40 p.m. to her family, KPTV reported. The protesters then dispersed.

No arrests were made, although one man was pepper-sprayed when he refused to back away from a deputy, KATU reported.

This story was originally published January 31, 2021 at 2:32 PM.