Goshen Hospital Sees Record Number Of COVID-19 Deaths In December
News Release
GOSHEN — The number of patients who died of COVID-19 at Goshen Hospital in December was 25, the highest number of patients to die in any month of the pandemic so far.
“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 Goshen Hospital was high the last two months of 2021 and is expected to remain high through January, due to holiday gatherings, low vaccination rates and low mask use in the community.
“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.”
Surgeries and screenings are being postponed for patients in need because local healthcare systems are overwhelmed fighting COVID-19. Healthcare workers are exhausted and discouraged. Get vaccinated, get boosted and keep COVID-19 risks low. It will take the work of the entire community to fight back this virus, decrease hospitalizations and lower COVID-19 death rates.