The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 22 COVID patients today, up from 21 yesterday. Other significant numbers:

• 7 with the active virus today, 4 yesterday
• 2 in ICU, 2 yesterday
• 0 on ventilator, 0 yesterday
• 15 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 17 yesterday

Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Nathan Bahr, infectious diseases, The University of Kansas Health System

• Federal judge in Florida strikes down mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport
• Believes it’s too soon since cases are once again on the rise in large cities like New York
• We have a duty to protect each other, especially those who are immunosuppressed

Dr. Akinlolu Ojo, executive dean of The University of Kansas School of Medicine

• Described new Kansas Center for Rural Health, which involves KU Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions
• Says there is a big problem with residents of rural areas having access to quality healthcare
• Will look at all aspects of rural health delivery to help provide careful management of patients with acute and chronic conditions

Dr. Robert Moser, dean of KU School of Medicine in Salina

• Program will take new research and evidence and put it into practice in a rural setting
• Will provide ongoing education and resources to rural healthcare providers
• COVID has accelerated development of program

Dr. Karen Weis, associate director of Research, KU School of Nursing

• COVID has expanded use of telemedicine to reach people in remote areas
• Tremendous shortage of nurses has hit rural areas the hardest
• Education, research and patient transportation are big elements of the program

Chelsey Smith, Community Blood Center

• Blood donations are still at a critical level and have been since the beginning of the pandemic
• Traditional blood drives at schools and businesses have been cut short, adding to the problem
• Right now, Community Blood Center is donating one dollar for every blood donation to Ukrainian refugees

Wednesday, April 20 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Imagine not being able to hold a fork or knife to eat or doing simple things like writing a note or signing a check.  It's reality for a lot of people, and now those suffering from essential tremors of the hands or Parkinson's have a new treatment allowing them to do the things they love again. We’ll show you how it changed the lives of three patients.

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.