CEO of Lake Regional Hospital responds to accelerating Covid-19 cases in the hospitals service area

(Osage Beach)–Due to the growing incidence of coronavirus in the Lake of the Ozarks area, the Chief Executive Officer of Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Dane W. Henry, has written a letter to the public. In it, Henry said, “We are now seeing widespread COVID-19 cases in each of the counties Lake Regional serves, as well as a recent uptick in the number of patients hospitalized with, and dying from, this illness. “As of July 21st, we were caring for five confirmed COVID-19 inpatients; tests are currently pending for several others. That’s the greatest number of inpatient COVID-19 cases Lake Regional has treated at once since April. “The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services tracks the seven-day change in statewide cases. That rate increased 3 percent for the period ending July 22nd; by comparison, Camden County increased 10 percent. And based on our community testing results of 5 to 20 positives daily, we fully expect the pace to accelerate.” Henry is encouraging businesses and municipalities to advocate for face coverings. He noted that Lake Regional has tested more than 15-hundred individuals during the past two weeks. He added, “Since the beginning of this pandemic, our most important goal has been to ensure that our employees and facilities remain safe and ready to care for you. Some of the steps we are taking include screening all employees and patients before they enter a Lake Regional location, and requiring everyone to wear a mask. And although we are unfortunately receiving some pushback from visitors on these measures, we will continue to hold firm. They are non-negotiable for ensuring the safety of those who work here, as well as those Lake Regional serves.”