Some MercyOne North Iowa workers heading to hot spots

"There's a surge going on in Sioux City and one in Waterloo and so we've had some nurses and some physicians volunteer to go help them."

Some parts of the hawkeye state are struggling to handle outbreaks of covi?19.

As mercy one north iowa prepares for elective surgeries... some of its doctors and nurses could be put to work in other counties.

Kimt news three's nick kruszalnicki is live in mason city with the details.

Nick?

George and katie?

We've been pretty lucky here in cerro gordo county with cases holding steady for weeks now.

So it makes sense that some medical professionals from mercyone north iowa could soon be packing their bags to help out in other places.

Xxx "we've had some nurses that have been amazing and volunteered to go help in other locations."

Healthcare workers are asking to be put in harms way.

Later this week, they may be heading to hot spots in iowa's fight against covi?

19.

"there's a surge going on in sioux city and one in waterloo and so we've had some nurses and some physicians volunteer to go help them and they're very gracious for that help."

Mercy one north iowa president rod schlader explains what those doctors and nurses will be up against when they arrive.

"they'll probably give some of their critical care nurses a break, because they've probably been working a lot of hours.

Some of the physicians they're basically doubling their icu capacity because of the covid surge."

In des moines, mercy one's medical center has been doing well so far, but schlader says if they need help, north iowa will be ready to lend a hand.

"population wise they're not surging as much as sioux city and waterloo are right now.

They really haven't been requested, but if they did we if there were a surge here here locally, schlader tells me they have a plan to use the pediatric unit to provide extra bed space for covid patients.

Of course, children in the pediatric unit would have to be moved if that plan takes place.

Live in mason city, nick kruszalnicki, kimt news 3.

Thank you nick.

Mercy one north iowa is also slowly starting to schedule elective surgeries again.

Some could