BEREA, Ohio — As COVID-19 cases remain low, health experts are taking a hard look at the public health system in the United States, to be able to avoid some of the issues the country confronted during the pandemic.

Thomas Campanella, healthcare executive in resident at Baldwin Wallace University, said the United States was not prepared for COVID-19.

Campanella said the United States has a fragrmented public health system, because each of the 50 states has its own system, as do smaller communities within those states. He said the systems don't all necessarily work well together.

Campanella belives the country needs to make the status of the public health system and national priority and needs to develop a long-term strategy as it relates to public health.