The decision about hospital beds requested by Valley Medical Center, Auburn Regional Medical Center and MultiCare will not be released by the state Department of Health Monday, Nov. 8, as was expected.

According to an e-mail from Mark Thomas, an analyst for the department’s certificate of need program, the decision has been delayed until the work can be completed. No deadline for the decision has been given.

The three medical facilities have submitted certificate of need applications to the department requesting beds.

MultiCare is asking for 58 beds for a hospital it is proposing to build on the facilities Urgent Care site in Covington.

Valley is asking for 60 beds at the Renton hospital and Auburn is requesting 70.

The decision was scheduled to be announced Oct. 7 following an Aug. 5 public hearing, but the department announced it was taking a 30 day extension to Nov. 8.

Thomas said the department is not extending the deadline, but the announcement is being delayed due to the work involved in the analysis.

Both MultiCare and Valley are planning to construct 24-hour emergency department in Covington next year, but only MultiCare is proposing to build a hospital in the city.

MultiCare has scheduled a ground breaking ceremony for the emergency department 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 at the Covington Urgent Care Clinic.