Elkhart County Covid-19 hospitalizations rise as cases continue to increase

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ELKHART, Ind. --- Coronavirus cases in Elkhart County are continuing to rise at alarming rates. The county faces a real danger of moving into the code red as Covid hospitalizations rise and new cases increase. 

On Monday, Elkhart General Hospital had 52 Covid-19 inpatients, and Goshen Hospital had 26 of their own. This is four times more than two months ago. This trajectory may force the county into some tough decisions, something that is leaving those in the area with an uneasy feeling.

"It is definitely a scary time, it's something that I know I've never had to experience in my life before, definitely reminiscent of a lot of stuff we heard in history class," said Alex Jones an Elkhart resident on his way to the voting booth.

With over 9,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, the county continues being a hotspot for new cases. 

The 52 Covid inpatients at Elkhart General set a new record that is being broken almost daily. At Goshen Hospital, along with their 26 Covid inpatients, they set a new death record with six in the past week. This brought their total up to 40. 

Residents, understanding this is a new normal, have the mindset that following the science behind Covid prevention is the best way to stay safe right now. 

"Well I think we feel safe based upon us participating with what science has already conveyed to us which is a necessary precaution to keep ourselves safe," said Edwin Newsome an Elkhart resident. 

As colder weather creeps closer, more people will be gathering indoors furthering the spread if precautions aren't taken seriously. This worries health officials as some residents struggle with safety guidelines, while others take the matter seriously in order to stay employed. 

"It's either go to work or not have a home so we had to go back to work, but we make sure we mask up, make sure we're constantly washing hands and social distancing as much as possible, said Jones. 

Some residents like Chantella Newsome thinks it isn't as much about people struggling with guidelines, but more about not becoming entirely aware of the virus until it affects them closely. 

"I think that everybody should just look out for somebody else because in this day and age it's never really been about us as an individual," said Newsome. 

The county is moving towards code red, which for now suggests schools go to virtual learning and extracurricular activities be canceled with more changes to follow if it comes to that. 

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