The number of COVID-19 patients continues trending lower today at The University of Kansas Health System. 26 patients are being treated for the virus, down from 27 yesterday. Five of those patients are in the ICU, down from 6 yesterday and 3 are on ventilators, down from 5 yesterday. After peaking at 36 patients last week, doctors are optimistic we’re heading in the right direction and hope to keep the numbers down, especially after Labor Day.

      Matthias Salathe, MD, chair of Internal Medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center and a pulmonologist at The University of Kansas Health System, joined to share his expert opinion on vaccines and therapies for COVID-19, plus the impact of the pandemic on vaping. Amanda Olinger, MD, Director of Pediatric Services at The University of Kansas Health System Marillac Campus joined to discuss the COVID-19 danger among teens who share vapes.

            Dr. Salathe says all research came to a halt in March when the pandemic broke out and all efforts have focused on COVID-19. He says we have learned a lot from treating patients the last four months and are seeing better outcomes. He described some of the current drugs being used to treat these patients and says they are able to keep more patients off ventilators than before. He is very optimistic a vaccine for the virus will be available by the first of the year and adds that because of this fast-tracking process, future vaccines will be available much quicker. He also described his research into vaping, saying it can be just as dangerous as smoking but says there is no proven danger COVID-19 particles are transmitted through the vapor. He says the more important question to ask is whether smoking or vaping makes someone more susceptible to COVID-19. As for masks, he says “When in doubt, wear a mask, indoors for sure or outside if you can’t keep socially distanced.”

            Dr. Olinger says when it comes to smoking and vaping, adults do it for their own personal enjoyment, but kids do it as a social event. She says they usually don’t wear masks when vaping and are likely close together which increases the risk of infection, especially if they share vapes. She had advice for parents on ways to get teens to stop but says it can be a challenge since they don’t recognize the long-term harm. She believes the pandemic has been especially hard on kids who have been socially isolated, and has seen more teens with mental health problems, suicides and attempted suicides and admissions to the Marillac Center for inpatient care. She’s hopeful getting them back to school will help.

            Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, outlined the four current therapies for COVID-19 patients. They are remdesivir, steroids, anti-coagulants and convalescent plasma. He says hydroxychloroquine has shown to be no help at all and may cause harm. He stressed that a low community spread of the disease is vital before schools can reopen, and says it’s concerning the state still has a high positive test rate of 9 percent. He says it will take effort from everyone to get that rate down and help us manage safely until the vaccine is available.

Thursday, August 6 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Vibrant Health CEO Patrick Sallee, says COVID-19 has resulted in 25% fewer contacts than pre-COVID-19…a loss of $1.7 Million in patient revenue and adjusted philanthropy … and an even greater loss of insurance among patients they serve from lost wages.  Unemployment is 14% compared to 3.8% in March. Anxiety levels, depression and stress levels are high. Also, Dr. Stites returns to the panel.

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