The number of COVID-19 patients is trending lower today at The University of Kansas Health System. 27 patients are being treated for the virus, down from 30 yesterday. Six of those patients are in the ICU and five are on ventilators, both the same as yesterday. After peaking at 36 patients last week, doctors hope this trend continues as we get closer to Labor Day and then the reopening of schools.
KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman joined to preview a new video feature his department is producing called “Faces of COVID,” powerful firsthand accounts from Kansans who have dealt with the virus. In addition to Dr. Norman, Olivia Desmarais, BSN, RN, CCRN, former trauma nurse now Trauma Injury Prevention Education Specialist for the health system, shared details of a long-awaited program called REVIVE (Reducing Effects of Violence through Intervention and Victim Empowerment) which is finally a reality after years of planning/hoping. Violence against those 12 to 24 is high right now and COVID-19 is to blame. Joining the conversation was Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson, PhD, Behavioral Psychology and Urban Planning, KU and Damon Daniel, Pres. of AdHoc Group Against Crime. Damon is a native of KC and active in social justice from a bully prevention program to socioeconomic issues that affect people of color.
Amy Carrillo is a 42-year-old mother of four from Lawrence diagnosed with COVID-19 back in March. At first, she didn’t think much about it, figuring it only affected older people and was more worried about her parents. But her symptoms became worse. She described a feeling like an elephant was on her chest. She says it was beyond her worst nightmare and was in bed for a month. She explained the symptoms have lasted four months and it’s only been the last couple of weeks that her lungs have stopped hurting. Dr. Norman shared her story, and has others premiering soon, which help put a face with the disease. He says the state is seeing 360 new cases a day and hopes stories like Amy’s will help lower that number as we approach Labor Day and schools reopening. He expects an uptick in cases after Labor Day, which like other holidays, draws people together and causes them to let their guard down. He also expects to see higher numbers once schools are in session and the weather gets colder. He says we all need to “own our own preparedness.”
Olivia Desmarais showed graphics which demonstrate how domestic violence cases have increased during the pandemic. She outlined the REVIVE program and explained the goal of connecting victims of violence with community programs. One of those programs is AdHoc Group Against Crime. The program’s president is Damon Daniel, who explained the various ways his organization helps those victims. He says violence is the leading cause of death for 10-14-year olds. He says it’s a learned behavior and we all need to strive for change while practicing forgiveness. He also offered advice on recognizing the signs of violence and what to do if you think a friend or neighbor is being abused. Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson believes lack of employment and economic insecurity is one reason behind the increase in violence during the pandemic. She believes it is a community-wide problem and is grateful for this program to help bring all of the resources together and outlined ways the community can help.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, talked about how COVID-19 affects different organs of the body. He discussed the hospitalization rate of patients with the virus and how it changed during the month of July. He says we must wear masks, keep our hands washed and physically distance if we are to flatten the curve and get back to schools without a second statewide shutdown.
Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Dr. Matthias Salathe, chair of internal medicine, joins to share his expert opinion on vaccines and therapies for COVDI-19, plus impact of the pandemic on Vaping. Amanda Olinger, MD, Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals (KAAP) joins to discuss the COVID-19 danger among teens who share vapes.
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