For the fourth day in a row, a record number of COVID-19 patients are being treated at The University of Kansas Health System. 53 patients are hospitalized, up from 51 yesterday, which was the previous record. 18 patients are in the ICU, up from 15 yesterday. Ten patients are on ventilators, up from 7 yesterday. 28 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s down from 29 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 22 total COVID-19 inpatients today, up from 21 yesterday, with 3 of those patients in the recovery phase. Doctors are concerned about possible bed shortages around the city and that the recent warm weather will cause people to let their guard down and meet in large gatherings.
“Safe at City Market” is a children’s book designed to teach COVID-19 pillars of infection control to kids. On today’s Morning Media Update, author Jill Ballu and Sue Patterson, Director of Marketing & Communications at City Market joined to share how the book came about, how it is being received and how well they think the businesses/patrons are doing with the major themes in the book. Also, 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, answered questions from the community.
Jill Ballu previously wrote a children’s book about two boys visiting the City Market. In “Safe at City Market,” the two friends, Kendal and Sam, again visit their favorite place, this time following pandemic precautions to keep themselves and all market visitors safe. Masked, using hand sanitizer and distancing they show kids how it's done, while at the same time having fun. She believes kids like to be empowered to do the right thing and believes it often influences adults to do the same. She says the book is available on Amazon, plus City Market vendors Bloom Baking Company, City Market Coffee and The Candy Wizard.
Sue Patterson described the City Market as the most diverse place in Kansas City and discussed the measures they’ve taken to be a safe place, including spacing vendors farther apart and requiring masks, both indoors and out. She described the physical changes in traffic flow and parking and said the City Market is open daily, including the weekend Farmers Market. She said that’s a great place for those who are food insecure to get fresh and healthy food year-round.
Here are the community questions in the order Dr. Stites and Dr. Hawkinson addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- What is the difference between licensed and staffed beds? The Licensed Bed Capacity is the total number of beds that a hospital is licensed to have in operation. Staffed Beds, which is more important, are those that are set up and ready for use.
- When will the FDA issue emergency use authorizations or EUAs for monoclonal antibodies and who will get these therapeutics first? When the FDA feels it is safe to do so. They are most beneficial for outpatients who are within 7-10 days of symptoms.
- What do you see as the factors causing the big spike in COVID-19 patient numbers? SAD COWS. In other words, Seasonal Affective Disorder and COVID Weariness Syndrome. People are tired of masking and tired of trying to behave. Also, people see younger people go out in groups and not get sick and figure it must be safe.
- Are we seeing any positive cases that can be related to Halloween gatherings yet? Yes, but the true number of cases won’t be known until around Thanksgiving.
- What is your biggest fear heading into Thanksgiving holiday? Thanksgiving group gatherings. That, along with Christmas, will be the two most challenging days of the year.
- What happens when hospitals run out of beds and staff? Already happening in some cities. Hospitals have to send patients to other places, often in other cities, where they have beds.
- Who has the most power to make the difference in this pandemic? Each one of us individually by taking the pillars of infection prevention and control with us wherever we go.
- I have jury duty next week. Is it going to be safe for me to go? You should be safe if masking and social distancing are in place. Goggles or face shields are highly recommended in addition to a mask.
- How do the doctors feel about restaurants that are putting up outdoor tents with heaters for the winter? Are they safe? Not sure how safe since it’s still an enclosed space. If tent flaps are down, it’s just like being inside.
Monday November 9 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. There is a disturbing trend in late stage breast cancer diagnoses directly related to this pandemic. Dr. Jamie Wagner, Division Chief Breast Surgery, Breast Surgery Oncologist and psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Muenks (Monks) join us for this update.
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