Another slight increase in today’s numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System. 31 patients are being treated for the virus, up from 26 Friday. 15 of those patients are in the ICU, up from 13 on Friday. 5 of those patients are on ventilators. The number of ventilator patients is far fewer than expected at the beginning of the pandemic.
Bob Page, President and CEO of The University of Kansas Health System and Tammy Peterman, President of the Kansas City Division rejoined the program. Joe Reardon, President and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce also joined the conversation to talk about how businesses can safely re open after stay-at-home orders lift. Reardon said his organization has been working closely with area business on plans for gradual reopening. He says the chamber has developed a Safe Return For KC guide which is available at kcchamber.com. He says reopening plans are different for every business but for each, the key is safety for both staff and the public. He said some businesses that have had workers at home should consider keeping that arrangement for as long as possible. He added the financial losses will be substantial, but he expects with the new normal, the recovery will be steady.
Tammy Peterman emphasized that The University of Kansas Health System has remained open and is extremely safe for patients and employees. She adds that the health system typically see 5,000 patients a day in the clinics and through the advent of telehealth and new protocols for safe in-clinic visits, doctors are scheduled to see 4,200 patients today.
Bob Page added the health system is gradually increasing the number of operating room procedures, with the emphasis being on safety. He said The University of Kansas Health System, like any business, including the National Football League, must look ahead and see what things will be like in the next 3 to 4 months, and plan for that. He said that’s in addition to taking care of business today.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System addressed the concept of herd immunity and whether we’re approaching those levels in the COVID-19 crisis. He answered the question of whether we should change our clothes after a trip to the store and gave his top recommendation of what you should do after such a visit. He also said it’s safe to donate and receive blood and plasma, and added that the hospital’s campus partner, the University of Kansas Medical Center, is holding a blood drive all week.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, explained how children can be carriers of COVID-19, though they don’t always show symptoms. And he emphasized that as some parts of society begin to reopen, it’s more important than ever to keep your distance, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and sneeze or cough into your sleeve. Individual responsibility will be the key to beating the virus.
Tuesday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Allen Greiner, MD, Medical Officer for KCK Wyandotte County Unified Government and Joseph LeMaster, MD, Public Health Officer for Johnson County join the conversation with Dr. Stites and Dr. Hawkinson to answer public health questions about how lifting stay-at-home orders impacts their counties.
ATTENTION media members-New procedure for calling in:
The meeting is now 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:
Call Zoom audio, 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.
