The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment announced there is evidence of person-to-person spread of COVID-19…meaning six out of the 11 cases in the county were acquired locally and not through travel. So what now?
In the video, Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System and Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Control and Prevention at The University of Kansas Health System say the emphasis is shifting from containment to mitigation. They explain what that means, and how it works. They add that the majority of the COVID-19 infections are mild and won’t require medical care. 80% of people will be able to manage their symptoms at home with fever reducers like Tylenol, plus fluids and rest. Dr. Hawkinson describes the symptoms that would require you to call your doctor, and stresses why it’s so important NOT to just show up unannounced at the doctor’s office or emergency department. They remind us that it’s a small percentage of those infected who develop severe disease…those 70 and older and those with existing health problems. The say social distancing takes commitment, but the best thing you can do is wash your hands, don’t touch your face…and stay home and stay safe!
