There are 78 total COVID patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today, down from 96 Friday. Other significant numbers include:

• 21 with the active virus, down from 33 Friday
• 4 in ICU, down from 5 Friday
• 2 on ventilators, same as Friday
• 57 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 63 Friday

Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System

• Remembers first COVID patient in health system and the fear in their eyes
• Went through HIV pandemic early in his career
• Says there was political rancor around HIV, just as there is with COVID, but feels worse today because of social media and internet
• Much more misinformation with COVID than with HIV
• Wishes we would have done a better job of explaining the importance of masking at the beginning of the pandemic. A lot fewer people would have died

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control

• Showed timeline of COVID at the health system over the last two years, including the highs and lows of patient numbers.
• Says we have learned a tremendous amount about how the virus works, and more importantly, how to treat it and prevent it
• Developed many new infection prevention procedures in the last two years
• Don’t know how much longer it will last. Flu pandemic of 1918 lasted five years

Kathy Sudeikis, VP Acendas Travel

• Travel business hit hard by COVID
• Pent up demand for travel over last two years
• Current mask guidelines for airlines and mass travel set to expire March 18
• Recommends still wearing a mask from the time you arrive at an airport until you leave the airport at your destination
• Advises using a travel professional, get to the airport early and be patient

      Tuesday, March 8 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. The connection between childhood diabetes, kids and COVID.  New studies suggest kids who have contracted COVID are at greater risk for developing diabetes, we bring in the experts to explain and what signs parents should look for.

ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:

Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628

Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628

TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI

Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital

                               YouTube.com/kuhospital

Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.