COVID numbers are at an all-time high at The University of Kansas Health System, with 203 total patients, up from 196 yesterday

• 124 with active virus today, 118 yesterday
• One death since Wednesday, 29 for the month of January
• 28 in ICU, 21 yesterday
• 14 on ventilators, 15 yesterday
• 79 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 78 yesterday

Today’s guests:

Amanda Cackler, director of Infection Prevention and Control

• Headlines suggesting cloth masks don’t work are wrong
• CDC actually listed masks in order of protection as cloth, surgical and N-95 respirator
• If double masking, put surgical mask on first then cloth
• Any mask is better than no mask
• Definition of fully vaccinated may vary by age and vaccine maker, but generally means recommended number of initial shots plus a booster.

Dr. Tim Williamson, vice president of quality and safety

• Emergency department seeing record number of patients every day, resulting in long waits for a bed
• People are still dying from omicron
• Morgue at capacity with highest number of deaths since beginning of pandemic
• Transfers very difficult, only about 15% accepted. Normally 65-70%
• There is “hope on the horizon,” as the surge has potential to peak in the next few weeks, with hospitalizations peaking a few weeks after that. It all depends on our behavior during that time.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control

• If you’re watching the Chiefs game in a group on Sunday, it’s important to wear a mask and socially distance
• Omicron is most contagious 1-2 days before symptoms and 2-3 days after
• We believe the virus is endemic, which means it will be among us for quite some time

            Monday, January 24 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Blood shortages are causing delays in patient procedures and COVID is raising food prices leaving more families in need of food. We’ll hear from area blood centers and Harvesters, The Community Food Network.

ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:

Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628

Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628

TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI

Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital

                               YouTube.com/kuhospital

Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.