The coronavirus pandemic has cost the Butler Health System $40.5 million.

Dr. John Love, the health system’s medical director of infectious disease, and Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical officer and an emergency medicine physician at Butler Memorial Hospital, updated county commissioners Wednesday on the health system since the coronavirus struck in March, which includes expanded COVID-19 testing.

Rottinghaus said while doctors were able to make decisions without bureaucratic interference because the health system is independent, the coronavirus was hard on its finances.

“Massive expenses were incurred,” he said.

Commissioners on Wednesday approved a $767,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grant for the health system.

Read more in Thursday's Butler Eagle.