Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System had good news today as the count of inpatients with COVID-19 was 33, the same as reported on Friday. 9 patients are on ventilators, a slight decrease. Doctors reminded everyone to wash our hands and teach our children proper hand hygiene, to keep hands away from their face and to cough into their elbow. They cautioned there is still much work to be done.
- Dana Hawkinson, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, reminded everyone that half of the people with the disease have no symptoms, yet are just as contagious to those around them. He addressed the question of using a mask outside as opposed to a more confined area like a store. He also talked about the special challenges of caring for cancer patients during the pandemic, noting they can’t always stay at home during their care. And he discussed what it means that a tiger has contracted the disease.
- Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the health system compared the fight against COVID-19 to a baseball game. He says we’re still in the first inning, but we have scored a run. He’s cautiously optimistic about the curve in Kansas and says we could peak in about a month from now. He says sheltering in place is still the best way for us to beat the virus.
- Infection Control nurse Tiffany Horsley showed everyone how to properly handle and wear a mask. There is a right and wrong way…the wrong way could put you at greater risk for COVID-19. She also says the homemade cloth masks are really better suited for keeping you from infecting others rather than keeping you from being infected. She also discussed whether we need to wipe down food or anything we buy at the store.
Tuesday, April 7, at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call with media. Dr. Karin Porter-Williamson will be on the panel talking about palliative care and DNR’s during a time of COVID-19.
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.
