For the first time all week, doctors at The University of Kansas Health System are “happy” with the direction the COVID-19 numbers are going today. 22 patients are hospitalized, a big drop from 32 yesterday. 9 patients are in the ICU, down from 11 yesterday. However, 8 patients are on ventilators, up from 6 yesterday. 20 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s a drop from 26 yesterday. HaysMed has 23 inpatients today, one more than yesterday, with one in the recovery phase. Doctors noted it’s the first time HaysMed has had more COVID-19 inpatients than at the main hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

Today’s briefing focused on answering media and community questions, including those which have come in during the week. Joining Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, were Amanda Gartner, Director of Quality and Safety at the health system and David Wild, MD, VP of Performance Improvement at the health system, who provided a deeper look at the numbers.                                                   

            Before answering community questions, Dr. Wild shared outcomes by race and ethnicity, focusing mainly on African American and Hispanic patients. He noted the health system is currently seeing the highest number of new cases per day and the highest numbers of hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic. He showed a map with current COVID-19 hot spots in the country, which has Springfield, Joplin and Lake of the Ozarks among the highest rates. He says the health system has heard from hospitals in those areas that they may need to transfer some patients to the Kansas City area, which could put a strain on facilities here.

Here are the media and community questions in the order the doctors addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.

·         Can new companies offering to sanitize and keep germs off of surfaces for 30 days actually help? 30 days is not feasible. Use any household cleaner on surfaces and wash hands frequently for best results.

• What is the most common decade of age of hospitalized patients? Since the beginning of the pandemic, 70’s. In the last 60 days, it’s been patients in their 40’s. The age range of today’s inpatients is 15 to 96.
• Is the 10-minute COVID-19 exposure guidance consecutive or cumulative? It depends on the activity level during that time. One cough or sneeze within 10 seconds can transmit the virus.
• When should I get a rapid PCR test? A negative test is only good for that moment in time. Can test positive any time after that. If you’ve had a significant exposure, regardless of test outcome, it’s more important you quarantine for 14 days.
• Once a vaccine is approved, will people be tested for antibodies before getting a shot? No.
• The President calls the antibody cocktail Regeneron a cure for COVID-19.  Is that true? No. Currently in clinical trials and not enough data available. It can help symptoms if given early.
• Are there any potential side effects to monoclonal antibody therapies? They look safe so far.
• I tested negative after one-week post exposure to a COVID-19 positive person.  Why do I have to quarantine for 14 days? The COVID-19 incubation period is up to 14 days.
• Are there many people age 70 and older who are asymptomatic? Yes. Any age can be asymptomatic.
• What are the survival statistics for people who are put on ventilators? About a third of those patients die. It’s the same no matter the disease.
• How is it determined when a patient is put on a ventilator? No set time. It usually depends on the oxygen level in the blood and patient’s wishes.
• What is the reinfection rate of COVID-19?  No precise data yet.
• Are people reinfected with COVID-19 as sick the second time around? That’s the hope, but don’t know for sure yet.
• What about immunity after infection? Is it safe for a 16-year-old who’s recovered to drive a grandparent? No precise data yet. Best advice is masking and social distancing for all.
• Springfield is listed as a hot spot and they are planning to resume in-person school for everyone. Is it safe? Yes, as long as masks and social distancing are observed.
• Is it possible for the common cold to give you a positive test for COVID-19? No.
• COVID-19 seems to be on the rise in Western Kansas at a time when everyone is suffering from COWS (covid weariness syndrome.) How do you get people to comply with the pillars of infection prevention? You can only control your own behavior.

            Monday, October 12 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Nick Kenney, head athletic trainer with the KC Royals, and Mark Logan representing Comeback KC join to update and inspire us to get a flu shot.  Kenney will tell us what’s next for the Royals during the off-season and Logan shares the next big COVID-19 comeback story.

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 1-253-215-8782, 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.