The University of Kansas Health System is caring for 176 total COVID patients today, up from 171 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 80 with active virus, 78 yesterday
- 20 in ICU, 20 today
- 7 on ventilators, 11 yesterday
- 96 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 93 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Tim Beaver, sports cardiologist
- Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart, extremely rare in vaccinated teen boys. 50 cases per one million shots.
- Data shows risk of myocarditis from COVID itself 100 times greater than from vaccine
- Symptoms usually clear in a couple of days
- Studies of collegiate athletes show lower risk of complications from COVID
Dr. David Smith, medical director of Youth Sports Medicine
- New state guidelines to help determine when it’s safe for athletes to return to their sports after COVID.
- Much depends on symptoms. Fewer symptoms mean shorter stay on COVID protocol.
- Red flag symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or passing out
- Sports extremely important in adolescents for emotional, mental, and physical health
- Glad to see KU basketball fans wearing masks
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control
- Death rate from omicron still very high, even with cases going down. Still need to take precautions of vaccinating, masking, and social distancing
- Boosters are important no matter what age
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Case numbers dropping, but still highest than at any time of the pandemic
- Too soon to say if it’s a trend. “We’re COVID better, and we’ve got room to go before we’re COVID free.”
- Better times coming in March and April if numbers keep dropping, but omicron is still a major threat
- Applauds those school districts and Metro cities extending mask mandates
Wednesday, February 9 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. 18 chief medical officers from the metro and across the state update some welcomed decreases in the Metro. Hospital asmissions remain high with an average of four deaths daily according to the Mid-America Regional Council. ICUs are especially strained due to the longer length of stay for COVId patients. The doctors will explain.
ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:
PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ZOOM AND TELEPHONE LINKS FOR THIS CONFERENCE ONLY
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87267028258
Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 872 6702 8258
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
