The number of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System is holding steady. 26 patients are being treated for COVID-19, up from 24 yesterday, though still below recent highs in the mid 30’s. 8 of those patients are in the ICU, down from 11 yesterday. Overall, 59 patients recovering from COVID-19 have been discharged from The University of Kansas Health System to date.
A patient who had COVID-19 and recovered, Anthony Nickens, joined the panel today. Anthony described what he felt like when he first suspected he might be sick. He talks about getting tested, finding out he had COVID-19, and being told to stay at home to recover. He explains that two of his family members also tested positive, and how the whole family coped with the virus. He says thankfully, none of them needed to be hospitalized. He also talks about getting the flu earlier this year, and how the two diseases are different and the same. Anthony has now recovered and is back to work. Doctors on the panel said it’s too soon to know if Anthony is now immune from COVID-19.
Dr. Ragu Dendi is a cardiologist at The University of Kansas Health System. He noted a trend both here and across the country that the number of heart attacks being reported during this outbreak is down. He is concerned that people with mild symptoms are not coming in, which usually leads to major heart problems. He said heart problems don’t stop during a pandemic, and he says it’s completely safe to come to the hospital to be checked for even minor problems…and he says many patients are being seen using the safe and secure telehealth option. He says those on heart medication need to keep taking their medicine. He also noted that in some cases, those with COVID-19 being tested for a heart attack are producing false positive results from those tests.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, addressed the question of whether ultraviolet light can destroy the virus. He also said there is no evidence that those with certain blood types are immune from COVID-19. He also said there’s no evidence that direct sunlight has any effect on the disease, despite some social media claims. He says we’re still early in the fight against the virus, but the effects of physical distancing are starting to pay off in lower numbers.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System says while the numbers look encouraging now, they’ll change in a heartbeat if we open society too soon. He says we’ve “bent the curve a little way.” He adds reopening society must happen in a thoughtful manner. He explains most patients with the disease are like Anthony, who can be treated and recover at home.
Wednesday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Joining the panel will be the chief medical officers from Truman Medical Center, Liberty Hospital and Advent Health Shawnee Mission to talk about what’s going on inside their hospitals, and how the COVID-19 crisis is fostering cooperation among area health organizations.
The feed is now available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all. You will still need to call-in to ask questions.
Telephone dial-in Participants:
Dial: 1-913-588-2222, and enter 50041981# when prompted for the Call ID. Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
