The number of COVID-19 patients being cared for at The University of Kansas Health System went up today. 20 patients are being treated for the virus, up from 15 yesterday. 8 of those patients are in the ICU, up from 7 yesterday.
Joining the group with an urgent plea was Chelsey Smith from the Community Blood Center. Smith says they usually have a seven-day supply of blood and are down to a two-day supply, the lowest it’s ever been. All types are desperately needed as she says the demand has doubled overnight, mostly due to hospitals ramping up the number of procedures they’re doing. She explained the usual blood drives at businesses and schools can’t be held right now, and they still need 600 donors every day. Smith said seven donation sites will be open all weekend, including Memorial Day, and the easiest way to register to donate is through the blood center’s web site savealifenow.org. She emphasized how safe it is to donate and if you’re healthy, there’s no age limit. For eligibility questions, see their web site or call their medical hotline at 800-688-0900.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) also joined the panel by phone, as well as Dr. Allen Greiner, Medical Officer for KCK Wyandotte County Unified Government in the studio.
Senator Moran discussed how daily life in the U.S. Senate has changed as he and his colleagues adapt to the COVID-19 crisis. He also explained how the government is looking for more aid for cities and counties hard hit by the sudden loss of tax revenue. He described how he will be taking part in several Memorial Day observances virtually, including one at the national World War I Museum in Kansas City. He says it’s important for all of us to celebrate those who have served and are serving in a safe way.
Dr. Greiner discussed the ReStart WYCO program, describing what will be opening and what will not and how it aligns with Governor Kelly’s Phase 2 reopening of society in Kansas. He says the numbers of infections and deaths from COVID-19 in Wyandotte County continue to drop but are still higher than surrounding counties and cities. He also discussed the importance of contact tracing and ways to volunteer for that service. He says there some paid positions as well.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, said things will look different this Memorial Day weekend. He says you should confine your dining to those you live with as things like buffets and community serving utensils, common in larger gatherings, are likely ways of spreading the virus. He says even though COVID-19 can be spread by touching infected surfaces, the majority of the disease is spread through human to human contact via droplets. He also discussed COVID-19 testing…why it’s done, who now gets it and what the results mean.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, reminded that the virus is spread by direct contact and not through the air. He explained how all the precautions that make the hospital safer than ever will also help in the upcoming flu season. He says he can’t emphasize enough that if we all make good choices now, once the vaccine is widely available, hopefully by this fall, we will have a good chance of getting COVID-19 under control.
Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. KU Chancellor Dr. Doug Girod and Athletic Director Jeff Long join the panel to talk about the challenges COVID-19 presents on campus and with college sports.
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.
