A slight downtick in the number of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today. 27 are in the hospital, down from 29 yesterday. Four of those patients are in the ICU, down from 10 yesterday, with 3 on ventilators, down from 5 yesterday. 27 other patients are still hospitalized from COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. Doctors explained the difference between acute patients and those no longer in that phase but still needing hospitalization and why we are giving that number every day now.
KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman joined the Update to talk virus spread. He also had another Faces of Covid video. In addition, Olathe West High School Theater teacher Alisha Morris, who became an overnight sensation for tracking COVID-19 cases in our nation’s schools. We looked at her expanding web site and heard her talk about why she designed it. We also checked in live with Chelsey Smith of the Community Blood Center from the blood drive at KU Medical Center. She gave an update on the current urgent need for donations.
Dr. Norman addressed recent comments on his graphic showing the levels of COVID-19 in mask-wearing vs. non mask-wearing counties. It showed the levels were down in counties where masks were required. He says, “Nobody has argued with the data and conclusions, they just don’t like the results.” He also discussed a recent Kansas regulation that anyone in a mass gathering of 500 or more must quarantine for two weeks. He says there are hundreds of cases of COVID-19 in the state in which people got it from such large groups. He says when it comes to attending a sporting event, if fans were not able to wear a mask and socially distance, they too should be quarantined. He also commented on the recent opening of KU, and the number of positive cases in the Greek community.
Alicia Morris is a theater teacher at Olathe West High School. She said she couldn’t find any one source of information on schools and COVID-19 cases, so she started her own web site. It’s quickly grown in popularity and has resulted in national media coverage. It’s become so large, the National Education Association has assumed control of the site. She talked about how and what kinds of information is gathered and how it’s used. She felt it was important for teachers, students and families to have accurate information and know what they’re getting into. She’s shared the information with school districts around the state and says they have found the information helpful. She also says it’s not always possible to properly social distance in a classroom and agreed that masks and frequent hand washing are vital.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, says not to be surprised if you get COVID-19 and still feel the symptoms long after the acute phase. He believes day cares are safe with masks and proper hand washing. He thinks those who are looking for loopholes in the social distance recommendations should look at the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law. He says masks are vital no matter what distance you keep. As for antigen testing, he would like to see as many people as possible tested once the tests are proven effective. He says high-touch surfaces are not where the virus is spreading, but the person to person contact. He believes a culture change is necessary to keep COVID-19 contained.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, says there are no known cases of the virus spreading in a dental office and they are as safe as hospitals. He says whether we’re adults, school children or kids in daycare, no matter our age, as long as we observe the pillars of infection prevention, we’ll stay safe.
Monday, August 31 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Richard Korentager, MD, Chair of Plastics and Maria Adjemian, DDS, JPC KU Dental update when and how to seek dental care during a pandemic.
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