A letter to the community, sent from the health system, started with "Things are bad." Lake Regional says six COVID-19 patients have died since July 1. In comparison, six COVID-19 patients died in all of June and only one COVID-related death occurred in May. So far in July, Lake Regional has averaged 21 COVID-positive inpatients daily, or 25% of its total inpatient census. The letter continued, "And things are about to get worse." Dane Henry, CEO of Lake Regional Health System, echoed the letter and said he's not exactly worried with what's happening now, but what's to come. On Wednesday, a hot spot advisory was issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) in Miller, Morgan and Camden counties. DHSS warned health care providers that there is a spike of cases expected in those counties due to low vaccination rates and because of a surge of cases in southwest Missouri.Â