The numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System are slightly lower today. 26 patients are hospitalized, down from 27 yesterday. 11 patients are in the ICU, up from 8 yesterday. Eight patients are on ventilators, up from 7 yesterday. One patient is on an ECMO machine, used for critically ill patients to replace the function of the heart and lungs. 35 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s the same as yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 14 inpatients today, down from 19 yesterday. Two patients are in the recovery phase.
On today’s Morning Media Update, we answered questions we didn’t get to during the week. Amanda Gartner, director of quality and safety, joined Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System and Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System.
Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- Are there percentage rates addressing the effectiveness of wearing a mask? No statistics available for that.
- What are the differences between cloth masks and other kinds of masks? A double layer cloth mask is fine for community use. Surgical masks are recommended in health care settings or in the community. N95 masks are specifically for healthcare workers.
- What advice do you give for voters who want to go to the polls but are worried about voting in a pandemic? Do early voting if possible. Polls should be safe if everyone wears a mask and social distancing is observed.
- Kansas City Star says hospitals are “bursting at the seams.” The health system is busy, but not bursting. Vast majority of patients do not have COVID-19, but this is usually a busy time of year for all hospitals. There has been no slowdown of elective surgeries.
- There are news reports of young people intentionally trying to get COVID-19 believing herd immunity will protect them and to sell their plasma to help others. Is this sound thinking? Why or why not? It’s a bad idea, and like playing Russian Roulette with your health. There are better ways to make money than selling plasma and relying on herd immunity for COVID-19 is dangerous.
- How does one get a test if no symptoms and not being screened for a medical procedure? It’s difficult. Because of limited supplies, the tests are reserved for those with potential exposure to the virus.
- How much hand sanitizer is needed for protection? A couple of sprays or cover the whole hand? There is no set number. It’s whatever it takes to make sure the entire area of the hands is covered and wait till dry before touching anything.
- Mask wearing is minimal at my gym. Is it still safe if we physically distance? No.
- How often should masks be changed? Cloth masks should be cleaned daily. Surgical masks should be replaced when they are visibly dirty.
- What do you think about church-hosted community Thanksgiving dinners during a pandemic? Very risky. Same concerns as having those outside your bubble attend a family dinner.
- If everyone in our extended family outside our bubble quarantines for 14 days before Thanksgiving, are we safe to eat together? Good idea, but not 100% guarantee of no risk.
- I feel more comfortable flying following your safety suggestions. However, should I quarantine for 14 days if flying from MO to FL to visit my 84-year-old Aunt? Flying is riskier than driving, but OK if strictly wearing a mask and eye protection. Quarantine before trip is good, but no need to quarantine on arrival if safety precautions observed on flight.
- My husband works out of town and when he returns, should we wear masks around each other? For how long? It depends on where he was and the nature of the work. Also, whether the husband followed the pillars of infection prevention and control while working.
- There are news reports of emerging therapies, including RLF-100 and Kevzara, that are promising. Will patients here get access through FDA compassionate use? Remdesivir works, while other therapies are still being evaluated. There is word Pfizer will ask for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in late November.
- What do you think of the two new studies, one Danish and one Canadian, showing type O blood may lower the risk of COVID-19? Interesting findings but conflicting reports. Won’t change anything we do clinically or alter public health guidance, such as mask wearing and social distancing.
- I’m a school bus driver who needs to get back to work, but I’m terrified. What can you say to help this anxiety? We can stay safe if everyone wears a mask and keeps social distancing. The answer to anxiety is hope and trying to make sure you look, not just around you, but you look forward.
Monday, October 19 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Johnson County Public Health Officer Dr. Joseph LeMaster and Dr. Jessica Kalendar-Rich, National member of the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality join to answer questions about the virus spread in Johnson County, what’s driving it and the impact on public schools and nursing homes.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants:
For those without Zoom, call 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.