The University of Kansas Health System is treating 70 total COVID patients today, up from 68 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 17 with the active virus today, 15 yesterday
- 1 in ICU, 1 yesterday
- 0 on ventilators, 0 yesterday
- 53 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 53 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Jessica Kalender-Rich, Geriatric Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- Older adults are at higher risk of COVID, but high levels of vaccinations and boosters have kept their numbers low
- Still looking at data to decide whether boosters will be needed every four to six months perpetually
- Vital that older people find a way to physically keep active. Need an activity that can be done consistently.
- Exercise increases the brain’s ability to remain flexible and continue to learn as we get older
Frank Boal, retired Kansas City Sportscaster
- He’s 75 years old and retired from full-time work. Still walks 4 to 6 miles a day
- Makes it a point to train for and hike a different Colorado “Fourteener” mountain every year
- Staying physically active has made a tremendous difference in his life, especially in keeping him mentally sharp
- Advises, “When you retire, don’t just sit down. Have a plan to do something you haven’t done that you’d really enjoy. Also advises keep reading every day and read something that makes you think.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Half of current COVID patients are here specifically for the virus. The other half are here for something else and just happen to have COVID as well.
- New research shows with COVID vaccination, you are 94% less likely to go on a ventilator and die.
- The best exercise is one you will actually do
- As you get older your liver slows down. That means you have to be more careful about what you take in, especially salt and fat, because it’s harder for the body to process
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control
- According to the New England Journal of Medicine, vaccination continues to be the safest way to develop immunity from COVID and protect from hospitalization and death
- Exercise will decrease your overall feeling of tiredness
- Cutting down carbs and excess calories and focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables and meats create a much better diet
- There may come a time when cloth masks will be enough to keep us safe
Monday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Lynch Syndrome is a gene that one in every 300 us carry, it's hereditary and increases your chance for colon cancer. And you may not even know you have it. Our experts answer your questions and take us on tour through a giant inflatable colon. We’ll also unravel the mystery around colonoscopies.
ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:
Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
