Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System say there’s more of a hint that the curve is flattening today as the count of inpatients with COVID-19 was 33, the same as reported the past two days. 9 patients remain on ventilators, the same number as the past two days.
The biggest message the doctors have is that we all have to give up the usual large family gatherings of Easter Sunday this year. They understand it will be hard, but say it takes only one large social gathering in the area to spread the virus into the community, and it would take 7-10 days after that gathering for people to begin getting sick.
- Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the health system, said forecasting the outcome of the pandemic is like forecasting the weather. It doesn’t take much to turn an optimistic forecast into a gloomy one. He reminded us to shelter in place, wash our hands and teach our children proper hand hygiene, to keep hands away from their face and to cough into their elbow. He’s cautiously optimistic the curve is flattening, but stresses there is still much work to be done.
- Dana Hawkinson, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, says it’s important to note that there are currently no FDA approved drugs to treat COCID-19, despite news reports that certain drugs used for other conditions could help. He says many of those drugs have side effects which are worse than having COVID-19. He said there’s no evidence that putting a mask into a microwave will kill the germs, and old-fashioned soap and water is the best way to clean one.
- Carrie Wieneke, MD, chair of OBGYN, says there’s no evidence COVID-19 can be passed from an expectant mother to her unborn child. She also says it’s important for pregnant moms to ask their doctor any questions they have rather than relying on friends or social media since information changes almost daily. She says doctors have been trying to streamline visits and use telemedicine more often but there is still a need for in-person visits.
Thursday, April 9, at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call with media. David Lisbon, MD, an emergency department doctor will join the panel. He’ll talk about the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on sexual assault cases, and how to get help in the emergency department. Plus, he’ll talk about some of the innovations the department has made to help treat these patients. 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.
