A slight increase in the number of active COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today. 79 people with the active virus are hospitalized, up from 78 on Friday. 30 patients are in the ICU, down from 35 Friday. 22 of those ICU patients are on ventilators today, down from 26 Friday. 59 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, down from 71 Friday. That’s a total of 138 patients, down from 149 Friday. In addition, HaysMed has a total of 27 COVID-19 inpatients, up from 25 Friday, with 16 of those active patients and 11 in the recovery phase.
On the Morning Media Update today, CVS and Walgreen's begin their partnership to vaccinate staff and residents in nursing homes. Dr. Jessica Kalender-Rich is a national member of the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, as well as an accomplished physician at the health system, and she updated us on seniors and COVID-19.
Dr. Kalender-Rich began by describing how the vaccine will be soon be distributed to long-term care facilities. It’s happening mainly through a partnership between two normally fierce rivals, Walgreen’s and CVS pharmacies. She said there is no medical reason why any older person should be excluded from the vaccine. She explained nursing home residents are at highest risk of COVID-19 because of age, other existing conditions and their congregational living situation. That’s why they, and the staff who care for them, will be among the first to receive the vaccine. Residents are used to doing things together, but have had to make changes, such as staying in their rooms, limiting group activities and severely cutting back on seating in dining rooms. She says staff can keep from bringing the virus into the facility by observing the pillars of infection prevention when away from work. She also says there is some worry about long-term neurological effects from COVID-19 on older people. She’s optimistic we’re finally getting somewhere in our battle against the virus.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, addressed news reports of a new viral strain in England. He says there’s very little data available, but viruses mutate all the time and single mutations don’t usually cause problems. He says the vaccine will still protect you. He explained when looking for a face mask, it’s important to remember it’s a barrier and that it covers everything from the bridge of your nose to the bottom of your chin. He discussed why the storage requirements are different between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and said it’s OK for pregnant women to get either one. He also says if you’ve recently had COVID-19, you could defer getting the vaccine for 8-12 weeks because of the antibodies you’ve developed. He also reviewed the current therapies for both inpatients and outpatients with the virus.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, outlined the order in which the health system is rolling out the vaccine to its staff, beginning with those who directly care for COVID-19 patients. As the vaccine supplies increase, so will the distribution to other non-clinical workers. He says even when vaccinated, it’s vital we all continue to observe the pillars of infection prevention, which includes wearing a mask. He says it’s a simple gift we can give one another.
Tuesday, December 22 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. Dr. Chris Brown joins us to explain why he rolled up his sleeve to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Brown cares for COVID-19 patients here in the hospital and he will talk about the impact on him and staff who are in their tenth month on the front lines.
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