The number of COVID-19 patients being cared for at The University of Kansas Health System continues to drop. 18 patients are being treated for the virus, down from 21 yesterday. 9 of those patients are in the ICU, same as yesterday. Doctors say this continues to reflect the bending of the curve in our area.
Joining the panel were U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas for an update on COVID-19 from the Federal level, and Robert Moser, MD, Dean, The University of Kansas School of Medicine- Salina, Clinical Assoc. Prof, Dept. of Preventative Medicine/Public Health to talk about public health in rural areas during the pandemic and how that impacts urban areas.
But the biggest news of the morning came from Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system. He was part of a recent briefing by Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, who revealed there may be as many as two different vaccinations for COVID-19 by October because of current research and clinical trials that are being fast-tracked. The hope is, if the drugs prove effective, 10 million doses will be available in October with 100-300 million by the first of the year, which would be a remarkable time frame. Dr. Stites talked about his emotional reaction to hearing that news.
Senator Moran gave an update on COVID-19 aid to hospitals around the country, saying half of the $100 billion has been distributed. Of that, Kansas hospitals have received nearly $400 million in the last month. He says the aid is helping small Kansas hospitals stay open. The senator talked about the legislation he’s sponsoring that creates a new national suicide hotline number, which he says is needed more than ever during the COVID-19 crisis. He also advised those who have not yet received the first $1200 stimulus check to call his office and they’ll go to bat for you. He also described how daily procedures in the Senate have dramatically changed.
Dr. Moser, who was the former head of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says COVID-19 is much more challenging that the Ebola outbreak when he was in office. He’s amazed at how well the State of Kansas has embraced the restrictions and says small communities have been very innovative and flexible in handling the disease spread. He also addressed why the state is rolling out a stage 1.5 in restrictions rather than leaving it up to individual counties. Moser also discussed when medical students may be able to resume their training in clinical settings.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, reminded everyone that the hospital and clinics are the safest places in the city right now, and urged those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart problems not to delay treatment out of fear. He says the rising number ofCOVID-19 cases across the state is a sign the number of tests is rising. He advises if you’re invited to a party at a neighbor’s house this weekend, you should probably decline, but getting outside and exercising or taking a walk would be great. He says even with fewer restraints and more places open, we can’t let our guard down for a moment and must continue the new rules of personal responsibility.
Monday, May 18 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Joining the panel will be Robert Simari, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Kansas Medical Center and Michael Kennedy, MD, Associate Dean Rural Health – Professor and Assoc. Dean of Rural Health. They will update the work of more than fifty medical students who volunteered to deploy to areas needing support in caring for COVID-19 patients.
ATTENTION media members- 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.
