The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Health System is slightly lower today. 32 are hospitalized, down from 34 yesterday. 11 patients are in the ICU, up from 10 yesterday. Six patients are on ventilators, same as yesterday. 26 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s up from 25 yesterday. HaysMed has 22 inpatients today, two more than yesterday.
Pediatric specialists Dr. Stephen Lauer and Dr. Danielle Johnson returned to the program to discuss how the change in seasons can result in a change of mood for children already suffering in this pandemic. The doctors talked about who is at risk, how to spot the signs and offered advice on coping. They also related what they’re hearing in their clinics from patients.
Dr. Lauer described a busy pediatric clinic at the health system with both well and sick child visits. He says the anxiety level is high in both children and parents over returning to school safely. He stressed it’s imperative families get their children back to normal sleeping and eating schedules going into the winter, especially if they’ve been doing virtual classes from home. He explained this is the time of year when other viruses such as RSV are present, and he’s noticed much less resistance to flu shots and regular childhood immunizations this year. He answered a question about the safety of middle school wrestling by saying it’s a “risky proposition,” and doesn’t see how it can be done safely this year. He also advised families to begin thinking about how holidays from Halloween to New Year’s will look this year. He says to get creative and decide “how we’re going to do things and not just say we can’t do things.”
Dr. Johnson has noticed a decrease in anxiety in those children who have gone back to in-person learning at school. She says it’s vital for them to stay safe while interacting, which she admits can be challenging for adolescents. She warns parents to be aware of changes in their child’s behavior and gave specific mood swing signals to look for. She also suggested questions for parents to ask to open a conversation with a troubled teen in a non-threatening way. She had tips for how to find balance in kid’s activities and socialization and advised getting the kids involved in choosing those activities. She also had advice for parents who might face a common workplace problem of a co-worker who won’t wear a mask. She suggests asking in a non-threatening way, “I noticed you’re not wearing a mask. Is everything OK?” She reminds parents the importance of taking care of themselves as well as their kids.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, addressed the question of whether the trial drug Regeneron, given to President Trump, is a cure. He said it’s not a cure but described how it works and can help patients if given early in the illness. He addressed the safety of high schools playing basketball this year by saying it’s a “very dangerous prospect,” while discussing the higher risks that come with indoor vs. outdoor sports. He also answered a viewer question about whether a self-administered nasal swab can be effective. He stressed now is the time for everyone to get a flu shot, explaining how vital it is, especially this year.
Friday, October 9 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. We catch up on great questions that have been coming in all week from viewers. Also, Dr. David Wild, a health system vice president who tracks our COVID-19 stats, joins us with a deeper look at the numbers.
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.
