Beacon hospitals continue to see rising number of COVID patients

We are currently exceeding our capacity at Elkhart General and Memorial. 

Elkhart General Hospital has opened additional rooms and is accommodating patients needing care. Memorial Hospital of South Bend has exceeded its ability to expand further and care for all patients presenting, and went on adult diversion to ambulances today.

As a regional trauma center, Memorial Hospital must maintain the ability to provide services not available at other hospitals in our region. The main limiting factor to accept more patients is the availability of staff to care for them. There is no shortage of ventilators or other equipment at this time. 

We are maximizing the capacity of our hospitals and the abilities of our staff who are working longer and harder than ever before. Our health system continues to balance elective procedures and admissions with the increasing demand made on our staff by the number of COVID patients. It is our health system’s intention to care for as many patients as we can accommodate within our communities. 

Chart reflects statistics from 7 a.m. Oct. 28, 2020.

What you can do to protect yourself and your loves one:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19
• Always take these precautions
  • Wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands
  • Don’t attend group gatherings
• Encourage your family, friends and the community to take the same precautions