Goshen Hospital saw record number of COVID deaths in December

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen Hospital saw its highest number of patients die of COVID-19 in any month since the beginning of the pandemic, with 25 patients dying in December, the hospital announced on Tuesday.

“We are heart-broken for all the families who have lost their loved ones to this pandemic,” said Dr. Dan Nafziger, Goshen Hospital Chief Medical Officer and Infectious Disease Specialist. “It doesn’t get any easier for us to lose the patients we’re doing our best to care for.”

The number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital was high in November and December of 2021 and is expected to remain high through January due to holiday gathering, low mask use, and low vaccination rates, the hospital said.

“We continue to stand by vaccination as the best way to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization,” said Dr. Nafziger. “Wearing masks when indoors is also important and reducing your exposure to indoor events when you might be in close quarters with people outside your household. This will be critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the upcoming weeks. Also, if you do get sick, stay home and get tested.” 

The hospital is asking the community to get vaccinated, boosted, and keep your COVID-19 risks low.

Surgeries and screenings are currently being postponed because of overwhelmed local healthcare systems.

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