Encouraging numbers in the daily count of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System. 18 patients are being treated for the virus, down from 19 on Friday. 6 patients are being treated in the ICU, down from 9 on Friday, with six on ventilators, same as Friday. While the trend is positive, doctors warn the numbers may start rising soon. This reflects the overall area increase in numbers which prompted both the city of Kansas City and Wyandotte County to make mask wearing mandatory in public places.
David Wild, MD, VP of Performance Improvement at The University of Kansas Health System, explained what our health system numbers tell us. Nationally, 17 different forecasts predict somewhere between 124,000 and 140,000 deaths by July 4. The details may impact your 4th of July plans. Also joining the conversation, Edward Ellerbeck, MD, MPH, chair of Population Health with a critique of how well public health measures are being followed and the impact on health care.
Dr. Wild says the numbers are telling us we are not in a second wave or surge, as we’ve never had the number of new cases approach zero. He explained the recent trend in the age of patients is lower, and that 75% of those tested at the health system in the last few weeks are under 50. He says the percent of the American population wearing a mask is less than any other developed country and declining. He also answered questions about the difference between an antigen test and an antibody test and when you should be tested even if you have no symptoms. He also says the rapid-result tests, like those found in some pharmacies, have some limitations, and are no replacement for the PCR nasal swab test.
Dr. Ellerbeck explained that in the first three months of the pandemic, half of the cases came from nursing homes, prisons and meatpacking plants, places where people were in confined spaces together. He says now it’s spreading to those who had been staying home self-isolating and are returning to society without practicing proper infection control. He says the various reopening phases sent mixed messages about how many people were safe to gather in one place. He says the fact is if you’re encountering even one person who might be infected, you need to take the right precautions. He explained that it’s best to self-isolate for 5-7 days before being tested if you think you have been exposed to the virus. This will provide a more accurate test. He also discussed schools reopening and called it a balancing act between safety and the need to educate our children.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, says the recent mask mandates in Kansas City and Wyandotte County will be very helpful in changing the culture around mask wearing. He says data proves wearing a mask will prevent the spread of COVID-19, and that it’s not a political issue but a health issue. He advises a cloth mask if you’re looking to buy one. Face shields are good, he explains, but must still be worn with a mask to provide the most protection. He pointed out that doctors and nurses can wear heavier N-95 masks for 8-10 hours at a time, and we’re only being asked to wear them for short periods at a time, like in a store. He adds it’s not likely oscillating fans or air conditioner systems will spread the virus
Tuesday, June 30 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Fireworks injuries typically make the headlines during this time of year. Jennifer Parks, RN, nursing manager in plastic surgery and burns, joins us to talk about the immediate physical dangers with fireworks while Dr. Hawkinson addresses the COVID-19 risks verses rewards of family and social gatherings to shoot off those fireworks.
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
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