The number of COVID patients at The University of Kansas Health System remains steady today. 16 with the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Six patients are in the ICU, up from three yesterday. One is on a ventilator, the same as yesterday. 21 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, the same as yesterday. That’s a total of 37 patients, the same as yesterday. HaysMed reports seven active COVID patients and nine in the recovery phase.
The Morning Medical Update had a Veterans Day theme today. Retired Marine Colonel Matt Bonnott and his dog Archie joined live from the Veterans Community Project to show how therapy dogs help veterans cope with PTSD and stress from the pandemic. Also joining were Dr. Nicole Yedlinsky, a retired Army major and Family Medicine physician at The University of Kansas Health System, and retired Army Colonel Barry Browning, a senior administrator in Adult Psychiatry at the health system.
Colonel Bonnott and Archie were at the group of ‘Tiny Homes” built for homeless veterans at 8825 Troost in Kansas City. Each of the 49 units is 240 square feet, and five larger units can accommodate families. He says, “It’s like a studio apartment, only better.” The units are fully furnished and equipped, and are considered transitional, two years or less, as a case worker helps each veteran overcome obstacles to a more permanent home. Pets are welcomed and encouraged as he says they show unconditional love and help many veterans cope with PTSD and the stress of the pandemic. They are having a drive at the location today for pet supplies and for warm winter clothing.
Dr. Yedlinsky understands why some veterans may be reluctant to get vaccinated. After so many years of having no choice about vaccines, they don’t want to be told what to do. She also feels they have a lot of misinformation about the vaccine, and she wants to reassure her fellow veterans the benefits far outweigh the risks. She thinks most veterans welcome being asked about their service, but may feel uneasy about being put up on a pedestal. She says the best thing you can do for a veteran is help get them in touch with the many services available.
Colonel Browning acknowledges some veterans are reluctant to seek help, especially for PTSD, considering it a sign of weakness. A lot of them missed treatment for PTSD for quite a while when the pandemic broke out. He says homeless veterans, both men and women, are a segment of the population that gets forgotten but feels awareness is getting better. He tells veterans reluctant to get the COVID vaccine that he’s had 14 anthrax shots over his career which was, “very interesting to say the least.” He stresses the COVID vaccine is tested and trusted and even if you do have some rare side effects, you’re far better off than getting COVID.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, notes the seven day rolling average of new COVID cases in the Metro is going back up, and worries we’re heading in the wrong direction now that masks are coming off in schools and in the community. Since hospitalizations follow new cases by about two weeks, we’ll know soon whether we’re headed for another surge. If that happens, we can blame the colder weather forcing us indoors, mask restrictions being lifted, and not enough people vaccinated.
Friday, November 12 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. It's follow up Friday and we'll get to some of those missed questions from the week. We’ll also hear from one expert who advises schools on kids, masking and COVID. We know parents have many questions on what to do now that their own child is vaccinated but others are not, and masking mandates are being lifted in many districts.
NOTE: Journalists should rejoin the Morning Medical Update at 8am as doctors are growing too busy again for individual interview requests. Please bring questions or send to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu until further notice. Thanks for all you do and helping to keep the community safe with your reporting.
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 1-312-626-6799, 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.