After days of steady declines, a slight increase today in the number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System. 15 people with the active virus are being treated, up from 14 yesterday. Of those patients, three are in the ICU, same as yesterday. One of those ICU patients is on a ventilator today, same as yesterday. 31 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 30 yesterday. That’s a total of 46 patients, up from 44 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has a total of 10 COVID-19 inpatients, same as yesterday, with three of those active patients and seven in the recovery phase.

            On today’s Morning Media Update, Amanda Cackler, director of Quality and Safety at The University of Kansas Health System joined Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control and Steve Stites, chief medical officer, to answer media and community questions. 

Before answering questions, the panel noted there has not been an inpatient death in the health system from COVID-19 since February 20. For a time, they were seeing several each day. They also mentioned there has not been a single influenza or RSV positive test in the health system, both inpatient and outpatient. They credit the same infection prevention measures that have helped bring the COVID-19 rate down and suggest those behaviors continue.

Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments. Time code for the question is in parentheses.

• (5:40) With a 90% drop in new daily cases in the Metro area, what is your confidence level in how we’re doing and what are your concerns?  The trend is great news and we hope it continues. The concern is people will think we’re over the hump and let their guard down. Now is not the time to return to normal.
• (9:45) Can people start to gather and take their masks off now that more people are getting vaccinated? There is still risk of transmission and right now it’s still best to wear a mask when with anyone outside your immediate family and social bubble.
• (12:40) Can you explain the difference between efficacy and the percentage of people who might get COVID-19 after the vaccine? Efficacy refers to the ability of all three vaccines to prevent severe critical disease, hospitalization and death. The percentage refers to those in the clinical trials who got a placebo and those who got the vaccine, and the big difference between the two after 10-12 days. The percent positive with the placebo was much higher.
• (14:45) If we are fully vaccinated, and the people we are with are too, is it safe to go to a restaurant together? It’s still risky, but it can be safe, and you may get less severe illness if you avoid big crowds in the restaurant. You must decide the risk for yourself.
• (19:20) Many families are planning spring break trips. Is there a good chance of another surge, especially with the new variants? Yes, COVID-19 is still out there.
• (21:30) Does the J&J vaccine contain a live virus? No. The only thing replicated in the vaccine is the spike protein which helps your system develop an immune response.
• (22:40) When getting a COVID-19 test, does that include testing for the variants? No, but suspected cases can be sent to the state lab for verification.
• (23:50) The Guardian reports a study in Italy showing the Pfizer vaccine may be less effective in obese people. What are your thoughts on that? Not sure if the study looks at how much is related to the vaccine and obesity or if it’s just obesity and getting the infection itself. Needs more research.
• (24:40) For the first time in more than a month, at least 29 states are reporting rising case counts. Is it because of variants, relaxed restrictions, or something else? Variants are partly to blame. But also, many people are choosing to get together without masks, especially as the weather warms up. It’s too soon to change behavior back to pre-pandemic times.
• (26:40) Are the doctors nervous about the Brazil variant? The New York Times says Brazil is seeing a record number of COVID-19 deaths and the spread of a more contagious virus that may cause reinfection. Yes, they are nervous about Brazil. They used a vaccine from China which is less that 50% effective and there are questions about masking behavior in that country.
• (27:50) With most nursing home residents now vaccinated, including my Mom, when will it be safe to visit her? I've had both my doses of the vaccine too. It can probably be done safely with some degree of social distancing and minimal contact.
• (32:20) A friend won't get any of the COVID-19 vaccinations saying they alter the DNA. Please tell me that's a myth! It’s a myth.
• (33:55) Military officials recently told Congress that about a third of younger active-duty and National Guard troops are refusing the vaccine. Is that a concern with military families moving all over the country and the world? Yes, it’s a big concern. We must figure out how to convince the vaccine hesitant population to get vaccinated.
• (39:20) Do we know when the FDA will convert to full authorization of the vaccines rather than the emergency use authorization? It could take 6-8 months of post-trial surveillance.
• (40:30) If someone has been fully vaccinated, will that affect the results if they need to be tested for a possible COVID-19 exposure? If you do have an active infection, the vaccine won’t mask a positive test.
• (41:15) Is there any data on whether people who are vaccinated are less likely to spread COVID-19 asymptomatically? Data is looking more and more favorable that this is the case, but still too soon to be certain.

            Monday, March 8 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. We are going to answer your questions about vaccinating teachers.  Dr. Kenny Southwick, Executive Director, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City and Dr. Jennifer Watts, pediatric emergency medicine at Children's Mercy-KC will talk about some of the challenges with vaccinating teachers on both sides of the state line.  Plus, they will update conversations around virus variant surveillance among teachers.

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.