The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 21 COVID patients today, down from 33 Friday. Other significant numbers:
- 4 with the active virus today, 5 Friday
- 2 in ICU, 1 Friday
- 1 on ventilator, 1 Friday
- 17 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 28 Friday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Bill Barkman, pulmonologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Except for some recent rains, it’s been a dry spring, which has made pollen and dust worse for allergy sufferers
- If asthma is not constantly monitored and treated, it can become a permanent disease which will affect your lifestyle
- Some children outgrow their allergies while others do not
- Airlines have really stepped up their air filtration systems during COVID and made flying reasonably safe again. Mask wearing is still required until May 3
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Some school districts considering reinstating universal masking because of rising COVID rates
- The rate of disease transmission now in central New York is as high as it was in the delta variant last November.
- We’ve seen it again and again, wave after wave, and the question now is will hospitalizations follow the wave?
- While airline masking is set to end on May 3, the real question will be what happens then, especially with high levels of transmission in big cities like New York?
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- It’s important to change the filter in your home air conditioning unit now before the summer cooling season
- It is not recommended to take Paxlovid and monoclonal antibodies at the same time
- Flu cases have been on the increase since mid-February because masks have come off and this year’s vaccine was not as effective
Dr. Nikki Nollen, co-leader Cancer Prevention and Control program, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Discussed study showing those who tried to stop smoking during the pandemic actually smoked more
- Stress was the number one reason
- Smoking cessation counseling and any of seven FDA approved anti-smoking medications are the best way to help those who want to quit smoking
Tuesday, April 19 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Access to healthcare is tough for many in small communities. But there’s a new program that’s clearing a path to vital medical services for residents in smaller communities in Kansas. We’ll focus on this new prescription for better health.
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.
