The number of COVID-19 patients being cared for at The University of Kansas Health System is holding steady. 16 patients are being treated for the virus, up one from yesterday. 7 of those patients are in the ICU, down from 8 yesterday. Doctors say this reflects both continuous discharges and new admissions for the virus.
David Wild, MD, VP of Performance Improvement at the University of Kansas Health System and Edward Ellerbeck, MD, MPH, Chair Population Health joined the panel to critique how well public health measures are being followed and the impact on health care.
Dr. Wild says the COVID-19 data we have over the past two months makes it a lot easier to see what’s ahead with the virus. He emphasizes what we’re seeing now is the result of what we did two to three weeks ago. He says that’s why with society beginning to reopen now, June first will be critical in seeing whether we’ve continued to bend the curve or if we’re in for a new surge of cases. He also explains why the hospitalization rate for the virus is lower in some smaller communities than in larger cities. And he addressed the question of whether wearing a mask at work is really necessary.
Dr. Ellerbeck says it’s clear social distancing and other measures are bending the curve. But he says even though the infection rate is down, the Metro area could see spikes in that rate after reopening because the virus is still out there. He also addressed the question of why minority populations seem to be getting the disease in higher numbers. He also explained that right now we’re only testing about two percent of the general population…those with COVID-19 symptoms. He says it’s hard to know the overall infection rate unless the testing is expanded.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, addressed the question of the president taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure. He says right now there’s no evidence it works, but there are clinical trials in progress involving healthcare workers, including those at The University of Kansas Health System, to see if the drug works to prevent COVID-19. He explained whther there’s any danger of the virus being spread through heating and air conditioning systems. He says unlike measles and tuberculosis, which are highly contagious and spread through the air, COVID-19 is spread through droplets, and not likely to spread through the HVAC system.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, says it’s important to remember to get kids in for their regular vaccines and checkups during this time. He explained that with the possibility of the first vaccines being available by October, we must keep things in perspective. He says it’s five months of continuing to change our lives for the ability to live the rest of our lives.
Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Roy Jensen, MD, Director, The University of Kansas Cancer Center joins the Update to share details of multiple research underway with cancer patients that could help in understanding and treating C-19. And, Jamie Wagner, DO, FACOS, Division Chief Breast Surgery, Breast Surgery Oncologist shares what cancer worries keep her up at night related to patients living in fear of C-19.
ATTENTION media members- 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.
