An infectious disease doctor in Fort Dodge says Iowans should take social distancing recommendations seriously, because rural areas don't have the resources to handle the consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
"Out in this area we only have eight ventilators for this entire county per the records of the American Hospital Association. That's not going to be enough to meet our needs," Doctor Megan Srinivas told WHO-TV.
She says many Iowans won't get life-saving services because of this lack of equipment. She's urging people across the state to stay home to stop the spread of the virus.
“It is so important that we are in this together, we stay at home together, that we watch out for our communities so we can get on top of the spread and stop it as soon as possible.”