The University of Kansas Health System reports COVID-19 patient numbers holding steady today. 36 patients are hospitalized, the same as yesterday. 16 patients are in the ICU, up from 14 yesterday. Four patients are on ventilators, down by half from 8 yesterday. 35 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s down from 41 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 18 total COVID-19 inpatients today, down from 20 yesterday, with 3 of those patients in the recovery phase.
KU Chancellor Dr. Doug Girod, Chris Wilson, VP of System Integration and Innovation at the health system and Dr. Jennifer Schrimsher, infectious diseases at LMH Health joined the Morning Media Update with the latest on the virus spread on campus and in Lawrence.
Dr. Wild began by showing how the Midwest continues to outpace other regions of the country as the most active region for COVID-19 spread. Kansas and Missouri are slightly behind North Dakota and Nebraska, while Utah has joined the list of states with high numbers. He also pointed out how the number of cases in young adults in Johnson County is nearly double the rest of the population. He then noted how Douglas County, Kansas, and the University of Kansas in particular have bucked that trend.
Dr. Girod explained everything the campus has done in the 9 weeks classes have been in session to keep the virus under control. He says mask compliance on campus has been remarkable and combined with the other measures taken have helped KU’s numbers continue to fall while the rest of the state’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise. He pointed out new research from KU professor Donna Ginther showing mask wearing makes a difference where it’s been mandated. He also discussed plans to safely allow fans into Allen Field House for KU basketball, saying there is a good level of ventilation and a substantial amount of airflow. He also noted that after a few reported problems earlier in the semester, the Greek community has been compliant with the rules.
Chris Wilson says the focus now at KU is handling the holiday break and the mass migration back to the campus from hot spots around the country that will take place for the second semester. He said the plans are for the same mass testing as at the beginning of the fall semester. He noted the campus is seeing only 2 or 3 positive cases a day, much lower than the rest of the region, and said mask wearing, social distancing and individual responsibility have been key.
Dr. Schrimsher says the KU culture has spread to the whole Lawrence community, which combined with help from the Douglas County Health Department has kept those numbers lower than everywhere else in the state. She also said she’s working with the health department on a plan to fully open Lawrence schools by the middle of November. She says everyone needs to stay the course and be proud that the Lawrence community is a “little beacon” in the state.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, noted that while some major universities had to shut down in-person classes early in the semester, KU should be proud of what it’s accomplished so far in controlling the spread of COVID-19. He answered a reporter question about the durability of antibodies and the possibility of reinfection. He says grade schools can use some of the same methods as KU in keeping classrooms safe, including mask wearing, social distancing. But he says the adults need to be cautious about close contact in break rooms. Doctors ended the program by showing a public service announcement by the American Hospital Association called “For the Love of… Wear a Mask!”
Thursday, October 29 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Stefanie Baines, education coordinator at the Poison Control Center here at The University of Kansas Health System joins to talk about Halloween safety and she’s invited some special guests. Messner Puppets Hunter and Scout have questions for our panel. Hunter and Scout have quite a following at area schools and you may want to encourage children at home to join tomorrow.
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.