The number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System continues to rise. 35 patients are being treated for the virus, up from 34 yesterday and 22 on Monday. 12 are in the ICU, same as yesterday. Four patients are on ventilators, same as yesterday. Doctors say if that trend continues, they would not be surprised to see 60-70 patients in the next few weeks. They say this upward trend is the same around the city and the state.
Sonja Bartolome, MD, is the chief quality officer at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She joined the panel to talk about what’s happening with COVID-19 in Dallas. Also, doctors answered questions from the community.
Dr. Bartolome noted that Dallas has more COVID-19 patients than Kansas City given its larger population, but has seen the same trend as here, with more younger patients being treated. She says the shelter-in-place orders were successful in Dallas until they were lifted in time for summer and holidays. The number of cases in that city now is stressing the system. Because of outbreaks, bars have been closed and she says the number of cases is leveling off. She believes bars in particular can lead to the spread of the virus because people are usually in groups, not wearing masks and not keeping their distance. She reminds us no matter what city we’re in, the way to keep the virus in check is to wear a mask, wash your hands and avoid crowds. “This is not forever,” she says.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, notes that hospital stays for COVID-19 are getting shorter, but the increasing number of patients could overwhelm bed and PPE capacity. He says we should think of mask wearing as a public health issue, just like smoking being banned in most public places. He explained that congregation without wearing masks is the main cause for the new increase in patients. He says without masks we’re constantly inhaling other people’s air clouds, the main way the virus is transmitted. In response to a viewer question, he said it’s OK to dispose of a single-use mask in the regular trash can.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, says he does not think Kansas City area hospitals are at capacity…TODAY. But he says we can easily run out of beds if we don’t alter our social behavior. He pointed out there’s a big difference between internet theories on COVID-19 and peer-reviewed fact-based articles. He said those are the ones to trust. He worries that many people in their 20’s think they get a free pass from the virus because they’re young and healthy, but those hospitalized say otherwise. He believes we’re on a long and winding road in the pandemic, but we can drive the road safely by doing the right things and that road will straighten out.
Monday, July 20 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Doctors from Children’s Mercy join to talk about COVID-19 in the classroom and kids with chronic conditions. Dr. Angie Myers Division Director of Infectious Diseases and Dr. Jennifer Goldman, pediatric infectious diseases are the guests. Also joining the conversation, Psychologist Dr. Danielle Johnson with The University of Kansas Health System to address anxiety in children who may be afraid to go back to school. She’ll offer tips on coping and getting them prepared.
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.
