The University of Kansas Health System continues to have a steady number of COVID-19 patients. 17 patients are being treated for the virus, same as yesterday. 4 of those patients are in the ICU, down from 5 yesterday. Doctors say the hospital continues to have new admissions for COVID-19 as well as those who have recovered going home.
On the heels of the first 3&2 baseball tournament over the weekend, Medical Director of Youth Sports Medicine Dr. David Smith together with KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick answered questions about youth sports. How well did the tournament do following new guidelines? What did you learn from this first public tournament? What is a good checklist for teams to play safely together. They join Dr. Stites and Dr. Hawkinson.
Dr. Smith said as of June 1, Kansas high schools are allowed to hold practices for their athletes with proper safety guidelines in place. He remarked that it’s both exciting and concerning. Smith said club and recreational sports are not as regulated as the high schools, but he noted the precautions put in place by the Johnson County 3&2 Baseball League for this last weekend’s tournament with 130 teams looked good. He said it’s important for school coaches and athletic trainers to be aware of home situations for athletes, especially if a family member may have a chronic disease and be vulnerable to COVID-19. He agreed that wearing masks on the field may not always be practical, and sport by sport decisions will have to be made regarding safety measures. He says, for example, cheerleaders will probably not be doing pyramids. He says it’s more important to be aware of a student athlete’s emotional well-being, and how they must let youth get back to being people again…especially when classes resume in the fall.
Bill Faflick said he and everyone in the KSHSAA is a teacher and a coach and teaching the students about social responsibility and making wise choices during the pandemic is a big part of their job. He explains that reopening sports has been challenging, but the biggest challenge will be maintaining them safely. He stresses social distancing in sports is critical, from the workouts to the games. Hand washing and equipment cleaning is also vital. He says athletes will be screened both physically and mentally and he says they have a good plan in place for what to do if a student is exposed to COVID-19. He adds the sports medicine experts have been vital in helping them safely and cautiously resume sporting activities.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System says resuming indoor sports will be a bigger challenge than outdoor sports, not just for the athletes but for spectators. He also says early trial results of remdesivir, a drug that can lessen the length and severity of COVID-19 symptoms, are encouraging, but cautions it’s not a game-changing medicine. He adds scientists are using technology a lot quicker than in the past to help develop treatments for the virus. He wants to stress to those who might fear taking a COVID-19 vaccine for fear of getting the disease that it’s not going to happen. He says it’s the same as not getting the flu from the flu vaccine. He also addressed questions about heat and ultraviolet radiation and their effect on the virus, and how to safely add to your social bubble. He says with pools and other outdoor activities resuming, it’s more important than ever to observe the new rules of personal responsibility.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, says there will be a price to pay for letting our guard down too early. He says families must observe the best practices together, and while normal life is coming, it’s not here yet. He says the same pillars of infection control he and others have been preaching since day one are more important now than ever.
Wednesday, June 3 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Participants include Dr. Robert Lane an Executive Vice President and Physician-in-Chief at The Children’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Angela Myers, Division Director for Infectious Diseases at The Children’s Mercy Hospital and Dr. Stephen Lauer, Pediatrician, The University of Kansas Health System. All will share insights into frequently asked questions about children and COVID-19.
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
