The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 60 COVID patients today, down from 62 yesterday. Other significant numbers:

• 11 with the active virus today, 14 yesterday
• 0 in ICU, 0 yesterday.
• 0 on ventilator, 0 yesterday
• 49 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 48 yesterday

Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Deetra Ford, neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• Described Bruce Willis’ diagnosis called aphasia, a neurological condition that affects cognitive abilities
• Usually first noticed by family members, typically involves slowed speech, pausing and having trouble finding words
• Most often a slow progressive process
• A specialist can help determine if it’s a normal part of aging or something else
• No cure but speech therapy and other measures can help with communication

Dr. Matthew Drake, hand surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System

• Multiple traumatic injuries in Ukraine war among both soldiers and civilians
• He’s a veteran battlefield surgeon and participated in webinar advising Ukraine physicians on best ways to treat severe hand injuries
• Often difficult to treat war injures in the field without same equipment and personnel found in modern hospitals
• Lessons learned on the battlefield help shape future surgical treatments for everyone

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System

• Cited another new study in the New England Journal of Medicine showing ivermectin has no benefit in treating or preventing COVID
• Happy with current trend in COVID patient numbers
• Does not think the BA 2 variant will hit us as hard because of a “reasonable” vaccination rate

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

• Vaccines continue to be the safest way to immunity and to reduce risk of hospitalization
• If you’ve had the omicron variant and were vaccinated and boosted, you can wait three or four months before getting another dose of the vaccine

Friday, April 1 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. The future is here when it comes to cancer treatment. In just a month, the new Proton Therapy Center will open at the University of Kansas Health System. That means patients and families won't have to travel hundreds of miles for this life-saving cancer therapy. The final phase before the grand opening…we are live inside and out of the proton center.

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.