Tuesday Media Briefing on COVID-19

The University of Kansas Health System reports a slight drop in COVID-19 patients today after yesterday’s sobering record. 93 people with the active virus are hospitalized, down from 100 yesterday. 44 patients are in the ICU, down from 46 yesterday. 23 patients are on ventilators today, down from 26 yesterday. 45 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 39 yesterday. That’s a total of 138 patients, down from 139 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 40 total COVID-19 inpatients with 6 of those patients in the recovery phase, up from 39 yesterday. One patient died since yesterday.
On the Morning Media Update today, KMCO Mayor Quinton Lucas joined the call to update the virus spread and look at masking on the other side of the state line.
Mayor Lucas outlined the most recent public orders the city of Kansas City, Missouri issued to stop the spread of COVID-19. He says one of the most important is limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people and explained why. He also discussed ways the city is enforcing the orders. He’s confident these public orders will survive any legal challenges and says the most important thing the city can do is educate the people, without the politics, on how these steps work and the proven science behind these and other infection prevention measures. He explains that no mayor in the country wants to cut tax revenue with business restrictions, but the reality is they work in the long-term. He also admits the city will probably have to extend these new restrictions, which are due to expire at the end of the year. He discussed what vaccine distribution around the city will look like and addressed whether city workers will be required to be vaccinated. He believes that in a perfect world, all adjoining cities will take these same “modest steps” to make a difference for the whole Metro area.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, pointed out to those who won’t wear a mask that there are plenty of peer-reviewed articles with “undisputable evidence” that both cloth and surgical masks work. He points to the health system as an example saying even with the large number of COVID-19 patients, there has been no transmission to staff members. He explained for those who test positive that 10 days after the onset of symptoms it’s safe to end your isolation. He reminds us it’s mask wearing combined with following the pillars of infection prevention that will stop this disease.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health system, pointed out to non-believers that people are dying from COVID-19 and many who survive have long-term, maybe lifetime problems. He believes too many people have politicized this, which he says, “shows a lack of moral compass.” He says it hurts us all when one group decides not to follow the rules. He reminds us the virus does not discriminate or follow borders and if we wear a mask, keep our distance, stay home when we’re sick and take care of each other we will win. He says the best way to say “I love you” this year is to do Thanksgiving differently and wear a mask.
Wednesday, November 25 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. It will be our last this week as we take time to let staff who can, celebrate Thanksgiving. But tomorrow we will be here with KU Chancellor Dr. Doug Girod and Chris Wilson to talk about sending college kids home for the holidays and bringing them back in the New Year safely.