COVID, flu and RSV cases rise; Beacon requires masks and limits visitors

Jordan Smith, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read
Meijer pharmacist Amy Jennings administers a COVID-19 vaccination to head of security Greg Brown Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Brown Middle School.
Meijer pharmacist Amy Jennings administers a COVID-19 vaccination to head of security Greg Brown Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Brown Middle School.

SOUTH BEND — Public health officials are pushing vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19 after an increase in cases led Beacon Health System to impose restrictions on hospital visitors.

Beacon now requires masks in its hospitals for all visitors who are interacting with patients or spending time in wards where the most vulnerable patients stay, the health system announced last week. Each patient can see up to two masked visitors at a time.

Masks remain optional at Beacon Medical Group locations, clinics and fitness centers, according to the policy.

Beacon facilities have seen a 200% increase in patients testing positive for influenza in the past week, according to Dr. Michelle Bache, vice president of medical affairs at Elkhart General Hospital. Beacon has also seen increases in the number of patients testing positive for COVID-19 and RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is fairly common and is mild for most patients, but can be dangerous for the elderly and infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Saint Joseph Health System does not appear to have instituted similar precautions. A spokeswoman said Wednesday that no one was available to comment.

Robin Vida, director of health outreach at the St. Joseph County Department of Health, says the uptick in respiratory illnesses typically begins around the holidays in December. But she urges vaccinations as cases of the flu, COVID-19 and RSV rise in tandem across the U.S.

"That's where I think there's this extra call to action to test if you're sick, stay home if you're sick, and get vaccinated if you haven't been vaccinated yet and run the risk of severe illness," Vida said.

Someone infected with COVID-19 is typically contagious to others for about five days, including about two days before they exhibit symptoms.

Where to get vaccinated

  • The St. Joseph County Department of Health: Vida recommends that St. Joseph County residents sign up for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations on the immunizations page of the health department's website. For RSV vaccines, call 574-235-9750 ext. 5 to ask about availability. The health department's clinic in South Bend is on the 9th floor of the County-City Building, at 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Its Mishawaka clinic is in the County-Services Building at 219 Lincoln Way West.

  • Local pharmacies: At Vaccines.gov, find nearby vaccine providers including Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger and Meijer. Appointments can easily be made online, but walk-ins are typically welcome.

Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Beacon requires masks, limits visitors as COVID, flu, RSV cases rise