YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- While public interest in Covid-19 is fading, health care professionals are still on alert.

Doug Ekeren, President of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton (and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell) says Covid has not gone away for them.

Ekeren says there are expectations of another surge of infections this fall.

Ekeren says the outbreaks can happen quickly and spread rapidly.

Ekeren says the slow down in infections helped their staff recover and get back to a more normal schedule.