All public meetings at the Elkhart County Administrative offices on North Second Street in Goshen, will be held virtually until further notice due to current trends in COVID-19 infections. T

he public is encouraged to attend virtually and will not be allowed in the building. The Elkhart County Finance Committee meeting, originally scheduled for this Thursday is cancelled for the same reason.

Virtual details regarding how to participate in the County Council meeting on Saturday, Nov. 14, and the County Commissioner’s meeting on Monday, Nov. 16, will be available to the public on the Elkhart County website.

The decision to go virtual comes after much deliberation and coordination with Elkhart County’s healthcare community. All Elkhart County hospitals have exceeded capacity and are deferring new patients to facilities elsewhere.

According to the most recent hospital census data, at least half of all hospitalized patients in Elkhart County have tested positive for COVID-19. Emergency room waits are extremely long.

“This is not a symbolic gesture on our part,” added Suzie Wierick, Elkhart County Commissioner, District 3. “Public gatherings, particularly indoors, are making a bad situation, worse. As public officials, we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to protect the health and safety of every man, woman and child in Elkhart County.  Going virtual is a prudent decision that will help mitigate the spread of COVID. We will go back to meeting in person when COVID is under control in Elkhart County.”