The numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System are up today, but doctors say they are much better than a week ago when the number was above 30. 24 patients are hospitalized, up from 22 on Friday. 11 patients are in the ICU, up from 9 Friday. Eight patients are on ventilators, same as Friday. 25 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s up from 20 on Friday. HaysMed has 17 inpatients today, down from 23 on Friday.
Nick Kenney, head athletic trainer with the Kansas City Royals, and Mark Logan representing Comeback KC joined to update and inspire us to get a flu shot. Kenney talked about how the Royals are handling the off-season and Logan shared the vision of what the Metro will look like after the pandemic.
Nick Kenney discussed the anxiety early on within the Royals organization as spring training was canceled and the whole baseball season delayed by three months. He says the Royals are mixture of young players and older players with families, not to mention the coaching staff and front office, and despite all of their differences, they were all able to successfully do the right things to keep the virus under control. Of the 10 cases of COVID-19 among the team, he says none of them were acquired at the team’s facilities. He explained that the virus is hard to contain, invisible and silent, and thanks to stringent testing and strict protocols when playing at home or on the road, the team survived the season. He says he and his training staff will keep in touch with the players every two weeks during the off-season, and says they offered flu shots to everyone before the season ended. In his words, “Hoping gets you behind. “He explained, “If you hope that it’s going to be better tomorrow, and it’s not better tomorrow, and then you hope that it’s going to get better again, now you’re two days behind of actually doing anything because all you did was hope. So prepare yourself, keep moving forward.”
Mark Logan described Comeback KC as a public and private partnership working closely with public health professionals to help accelerate Kansas City’s comeback from COVID-19. He says they envision a time “when all of this is in the rear view.” He explained a big focus now is on community-wide flu shots, hoping to avoid a “twindemic” of the flu and COVID-19. He says restaurants face a special challenge with the weather getting cooler and less outdoor dining available. but he feels they will adapt. He also believes we need to look at alternate ways to celebrate the holidays this year. He warns that just because you’re with family and those you trust, doesn’t mean everyone is safe. He pointed out that several family reunions in the area this summer turned into spreading events. He says the pillars of infection control must guide our behavior.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, is concerned about eating in a restaurant once it’s too cold to eat outside, saying the risk will be higher, especially on a busy night. He says it’s vital to keep your mask on until you are actually putting food in your mouth. He believes any events with large amounts of people indoors will put people at risk. He described COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness or lightheadedness which should tell you it’s time to go to the hospital. He also answered a viewer question on whether there will be a vaccine specifically for kids. He reminds us that fighting the virus is a lifestyle change we must all make.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, commented on KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman’s recent statement that Kansas is “losing the battle,” against COVID-19. He says it’s hard work to not have it overwhelm the medical system, but he does not think it’s inevitable. He says the biggest battle is the one within and we must continue ourselves to follow the pillars of infection control. He says, “Hang in there while we fight through the pandemic so we can have that tomorrow we all want to have, because effective therapy…it’s on the way.”
Tuesday, October 13 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. We hear from two COVID-19 survivors. One in nursing school and the other a seasoned nurse. Both caught COVID-19 in the community. 21-year-old Mara joins us in studio as she still struggles with fatigue and other symptoms. 58-year-old Lynn joins us after 64 days in the hospital, 45 of them on the vent, and 14 days in rehab.
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