Beacon wants to keep our patients, their families and our caregivers safe. We are grateful to our community for helping to protect their loved ones while they are in our care and for helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases by wearing masks. Beacon continues to
A growing number of Covid survivors are reporting hair loss as a long-term effect of the virus. Kari Sculati, nurse practitioner, Beacon Medical Group Dermatology Main Street, explains the similarities to a common dermatologic condition and when you should see a doctor.
As we continue to adapt to “pandemic life,” it’s very important to not let our guard down, especially when it comes to heart health. Dr. Mayank Mittal, Beacon Medical Group cardiologist, details what heart patients should know about cardiac care during the pandemic.
Beacon Medical Group Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Evelin Keultjes shares information about “maskne,” as well as tips for those who suffer from the skin condition caused from mask irritation. While the term “maskne” isn’t new, some people are suffering from the condition for the first time.
Dr. Keyna Martinez, medical director, Beacon Medical Group Bremen, explains the proper way to wear a mask and describes the types of masks that are most effective against COVID-19. She also helps us understand the reasons why clinicians say masks are our best protection against coronavirus, and much more.
What should someone do if they test positive for COVID but aren’t experiencing symptoms? What does a negative test mean if you do feel sick? Dr. Ken Elek, medical director of MedPoint Urgent Care in South Bend, Mishawaka/Granger and Elkhart, explains COVID testing and what the results mean for consumers.
Dr. Dale Patterson, Memorial Hospital VP Medical Affairs, thanks Beacon associates for helping to keep our patients, visitors and the entire community safe by wearing masks.
With so much confusion about what constitutes an exposure to COVID, Dr. Keyna Martinez, medical director of Beacon Medical Group Bremen, explains how your level of exposure determines your quarantine time. A positive or negative COVID test also translates into different home quarantine times and isolation measures. In this video, you’ll learn what the CDC guidelines mean should you or someone you love be exposed to COVID.
The 2020 Sunburst Races, scheduled to take place August 8, have been canceled out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of participants and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Race Director Courtney Kipker. “While we realize how disappointing this is to everyone involved in Sunburst Races, the safety of our runners, walkers, volunteers, staff and spectators has always been our top priority,” Kipker said. “After evaluating all aspects of the race, we determined this would be the best way to protect the health of those running or cheering on our participants, and put the safety of the community first.”
After seeing a slow downward trend in positive COVID cases, Dr. Michelle Bache, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Elkhart General Hospital, said the county is once again starting to see more COVID activity. “This is not something to take our eyes off of,” Dr. Bache said. The seven-day average of positive tests — a leading indicator of COVID activity in an area — has risen to 13.9 percent on Monday, after having dropped to 11.4 percent. St. Joseph County is seeing a similar situation occurring. “We want to see things holding steady at 5 percent or less.”
The number of COVID patients at Elkhart General has remained fairly constant. “It’s not an insignificant number,” Dr. Bache said. “We need to remain diligent with masking, social distancing and hand washing. “If you don’t know somebody who has been personally affected by this disease, it’s easy to pretend (COVID) is somebody else’s problem. But there are definitely many people in this community who have been terribly affected by this.”
