An idea of how much damage COVID-19 has done to the health care network was gained this week, when WVU Medicine President and CEO Albert Wright reported the hospital system has lost $75 million during the past month and a half.

WVU Medicine includes about a dozen hospitals and manages others. Several hospitals in our area are linked to the system.

Part of the response to COVID-19 by many governors, including those in our states, was to order hospitals to stop performing elective procedures. That order has been lifted, but not before it hurt the hospitals badly.

Wright expects some federal help, including about $45 million from the CARES Act. Clearly, that will leave a large financial gap.

If more federal aid related to COVID-19 is provided, it should do more for hospitals — which will be critical assets if another health care crisis occurs.