Numbers don’t tell the whole story today when it comes to COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System. 31 are hospitalized, down from 32 yesterday. 9 patients are in the ICU, down from 11 yesterday. Six patients are on ventilators, down from 8 yesterday. 32 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s up from 30 yesterday. Doctors say the true story is that even though 8 patients were discharged since yesterday, 10 new ones were admitted since then. HaysMed is holding steady with 19 inpatients today. They have had three deaths in the last week.
Linda Bunten, a nurse practitioner at the health system, says she and her whole family, even Grandma, had a fright when they all came down with COVID-19. How did someone who advises patients on staying safe and believes herself a role model catch the virus? She explained on this update. Also joining the group was Anil Gharmalker of Parsons, Kansas, a COVID-19 survivor.
Anil Gharmalker has been on the program before. A truck driver based in Parsons, Kansas, he caught the virus during an out of town trip, and barely made it home before collapsing from fatigue. He’s recovered from the virus, but its effects have had him in and out of the hospital for months. He’s back at the health system dealing with complications of a tracheotomy, which he needed when his airway began closing. Fortunately, nobody in his household caught the virus, but it’s caused a big lifestyle change for them all. They avoid large crowds and anyone outside the family bubble who comes in contact with them must wear a mask. Anil rejects the notion that being cautious is being fearful. He said, “It’s more frightening to stare down your own mortality in minutes and hours than trying to avoid being a vector or having contact with one.”
Linda Bunten’s son graduated from high school and they had a big party at their house for him. Linda says it was outside and everyone was socially distanced with masks. But the next day, her son attended a friend’s party. She suspects the same level of precautions were not observed, and her son and the rest of her household all became sick from the virus. She says nobody who attended the party at her house got COVID-19. She described the symptoms she, her husband and two children had, and said other than fatigue, each had different ones. Her husband didn’t lose his sense of smell, so his job was to make sure their milk had not gone sour. She says it’s been hard on her two children, both now in college, not being able to see friends. But she told them both to be prepared to wear a mask at home when they return for Thanksgiving. Her best advice is “not to be cavalier about COVID-19.”
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, says it’s probably not necessary to wipe down your groceries when you get home but washing your hands would be best. He reminded us the CDC says the vast majority of the virus is spready by close personal contact. He discussed concerns about high school students who ride the bus and said a 16-year-old who recovered from the virus 16 days ago should be safe to drive his grandmother, if both are wearing masks. He echoed Anil Gharmalker saying, “It’s not out of fear but knowledge that we should act.”
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, discussed the experimental drug, Regeneron, that President Trump received while in the hospital, and says it could affect how we treat COVID-19 patients in the future. He reminded us that the virus doesn’t care who you are, “If you set yourself up to be vulnerable, it will get you.” He also discussed how to safely celebrate Thanksgiving this year and said large gatherings should be avoided. He urges us to do the right thing and wear a mask in public because you’re protecting others.
Tuesday, October 6 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Our guests are Broderick Crawford, President of NBC Community Development Corporation and Dr. Allen Greiner Medical Officer for the Unified Government Public Health Department join with details of a new NIH funded effort to improve testing across Kansas and with the goal of using this network when a vaccine becomes available.
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