A slightly higher number of COVID-19 patients are being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today. 21 are hospitalized, up from 20 yesterday. Six patients are in the ICU, up from 5 yesterday. Two patients are on ventilators, same as yesterday. 32 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase.
Today we answered media questions and questions from the community. Joining us to help were Amanda Gartner, Director of Quality and Safety and Dr. Heather Harris from Hays Med. Before answering questions, Dr. Harris had an update on COVID-19 patients at Hays Med. There are 11 patients today, 7 in the ICU, 4 on acute care, no patients on ventilators and none hospitalized who are recovering after being infectious.
Amanda Gartner discussed her recent tour of the KU campus in Lawrence. She checked on the swab clinic which just opened on Wednesday and was impressed at how the football and volleyball teams were observing the pillars of infection prevention during practices. She was sorry, however, to see that since her last visit, more students were not wearing masks, and more were gathered in large groups without social distancing.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, advised everyone, both children and adults, to make sure they are current on their vaccinations. He added that as more children prepare to return full time to the classroom, the risk of spreading COVID-19 through extracurricular activities is compounded.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer of the health system, urged everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the fall weather. He reminded us the pandemic will not last forever and urged us all to keep our family and community safe by wearing a mask.
Here are the questions in the order the doctors addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- Have antibody tests improved? I want to get one. They are good, but it depends on why you want one. Not everyone needs one.
- The government seems to be pushing vaccine approval. How confident can the public be in the safety of these rush jobs? Very confident because of safety protocols observed in all clinical trials.
- Does a patient have to be severely ill with COVID-19 to get convalescent plasma? It may be too late to help if you’re severely ill. It’s better to get it early in the infectious period.
- Air quality across Kansas is being impacted by wildfires out west. Does the smoke make us more susceptible to COVID-19? Can the virus survive in the blowing smoke? No to both questions.
- Do masks that have the PM 2.5 filter really have an advantage? Do they help against COVID-19 or just allergies? A cloth or a surgical mask is best.
- Can the virus enter through the ears? No.
- Should I wear a mask while working out at the gym? Yes, but it also depends on your type of workout and social distancing.
- How can I safely get acupuncture or a massage? Make sure the proper precautions such as masks and face shields are observed.
- I miss my friends. I want to watch football and spend time together. How can I expand my bubble safely? Wear masks, social distance, small groups, no food sharing, outdoor TV if possible.
- Claims of herd immunity happening soon and the virus disappearing have been in the news. Are both true? Neither is true.
Monday, September 21 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. The Chief Medical Officers from Advent Health, Truman Medical and Liberty Hospital join us along with the director of Infectious diseases from Children’s Mercy as we look at the how the metro is doing now that we’re back in school and post Labor Day holiday.
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.
