(Spirit Lake)– The President and CEO of Lakes Regional Healthcare says he’s concerned there could be a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Iowa Great Lakes depending upon the methods used in opening the state back up.
Jason Harrington tells KUOO news he’s worried a regional approach to reopening could result in a sudden influx of people coming into the Iowa Great Lakes from areas that are much more heavily impacted with COVID-19 infections…
“It does cause me concern. I think, I really think there needs to be a measured approach in terms of opening things up and I think locally we need to be thoughtful about that as well. I think because we could quickly go from having the current number of five cases and having that quickly expand because I think everybody’s that from here is aware that people come from various parts of the midwest and further to vacation here and enjoy the area that we love and we, I hope everybody is just thoughtful in that we just don’t open up the valve and, you know, think everybody should come all at once and not have a thoughtful process, a step-wise process, in opening that back up.”
Harrington said they had no COVID-19 patients at Lakes Regional Healthcare as of earlier this (Fri.) afternoon.
Governor Kim Reynolds today (Friday) said she plans to announce next week plans to reopen some segments of the state’s economy.
