Good news with today’s numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System. 17 patients are being treated for the virus, down from 20 yesterday. 9 of those patients are in the ICU, down from 10 yesterday. So far more than 100 patients treated for COVID-19 have been released. The doctors say everything we’ve been doing to stem the tide of the disease is working as the numbers appear to show we’ve “bent the heck out of the curve.”
Joining the conversation were Sean Kumer, MD, Physician VP Perioperative and Procedural Services and Shea Stoops, DO, an anesthesiologist at The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Stoops explained how the staff has changed setup and procedures in the operating rooms to make everything safer. Some of those changes include more air circulation, a new kind of mask for everyone in pre and postop areas and limiting visitors to those areas…plus proper physical distancing in the waiting rooms. Dr. Kumer talked about which procedures and surgeries will be scheduled and how soon the health system can gradually begin to phase in those procedures. He says right now, the hospital is safer than a trip to the grocery store. He also says it’s vital that people seek medical help immediately, even for minor symptoms. He says there is evidence the number of stroke and heart attacks at home is increasing, which may be due to fear of going to the hospital.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System addressed a new study of the drug remdesivir, which might help patients recover more quickly from the virus. But he and other medical experts stress it is NOT a game-changer. It might reduce a patient’s recovery time from 15 days to 11 days…similar to the way Tamiflu can shorten recovery for the flu. He discussed the meaning of Kansas City Mayor Lucas’ 10-10-10 plan for reopening society next week, and what that involves. He also answered the question of whether you’ll need a mask when going back to the gym, and whether going to the swimming pool or to church will be safe. He says no matter the activity, the new normal of physical distancing, hand washing, no face touching and sneezing into your arm will be the same…as COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, says it appears the numbers of COVID-19 patients have dropped far more than anyone expected. He says part of the reason is the low population density of our area compared to huge cities like New York. But he says the key will be taking personal responsibility when parts of society begin to reopen next week, otherwise the numbers will definitely go back up.
Friday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Lee Norman, MD and KDHE Secretary joins U.S. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran to talk about plans for protecting public health and providing economic relief after stay-at-home orders lift on Sunday. Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Dana Hawkinson, MD, Med. Dir. of Infection Prevention and Control will share some details of COVID-19 modeling and answer questions on accessing health care starting Monday.
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.
