Month: December 2020

Vaccines seen as ‘beginning of end’ of COVID-19

Vaccines are seen as perhaps the “beginning of the end” for COVID-19, according to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.

Sen. Moran spoke at a news conference Thursday morning at the University of Kansas Health System. He added that as statistics demonstrate, they’re not close to being over with COVID-19.

The Pfizer vaccine received an intent to proceed for emergency use authorization message after receiving a committee recommendation for an EUA on Thursday, with vaccines expected to start soon for health care workers at the University of Kansas Health System.

Earlier this year, Congress believed it was just trying to fill in the gap for a couple months until the end of COVID-19, he said, but it has lasted longer than many expected.

The success of the vaccine process in significant part is the result of the CARES Act in the spring, which provided $10 billion for the development and manufacturing of the vaccine, he said.

“It seems to me that this is a rapid response,” he said. Although never quick enough, science and medicine is coming through with assistance for combatting COVID-19, he said.

“It’s one of the smart things that this Operation Warp Speed provided was, in addition to the science and medicine of developing the vaccine, if we get something that looks promising, let’s start manufacturing so if it’s proven, it’s available,” he said.

That meant there would be only a couple of days between the vaccine receiving FDA emergency use authorization and the vaccine being available for use, he said.

“This seems to be a success story,” he said.

He also said he would expect Congress between now and next week to pass Phase 4, a legislative effort that would help Kansans and Americans to meet the continuing challenge of COVID-19. That package is still under discussion, and might include assistance for businesses and individuals, although all of the details had not been completed yet.

He thought it was possible that there could be additional help provided in testing, personal protective equipment and the logistics of vaccines, as well as trying to help Kansans and Americans keep their employment.

He also thanked health care providers and personnel on the front lines.

Sen. Moran also said it was important for people to get over the political discussions about masks and recognize the value of wearing masks.

Doctors continued to emphasize the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands and staying home when sick.

To see more of the discussion at the news conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/263900601823997.

There were 93 active COVID-19 patients on Thursday morning at the University of Kansas Health System, an increase from 89 on Wednesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Forty-seven of the active patients were in the intensive care unit, the same as Wednesday, with 28 on ventilators, an increase from 26, he said. There were an additional 62 patients who were out of the acute phase, a decrease from 64 on Wednesday. The total number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital was 155, down one from Wednesday.

HaysMed in Hays, Kansas, reported 31 total COVID-19 patients Thursday, a decrease of two from Wednesday, with 28 active patients and three in the recovery phase, he said.

COVID-19 cases increasing

Wyandotte County reported a cumulative 12,131 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, an increase of 202 since Wednesday, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 webpage.

There were no additional deaths reported, for a cumulative 184 deaths.

The Mid-America Regional Council’s Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub reported 102,624 cases in the nine-county Greater Kansas City area on Thursday. The average daily number of hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in the nine-county area was 174 on Thursday.

COVID-19 cases in the United States totaled a cumulative 15,611,078 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Free COVID-19 testing available Friday

The Unified Government Health Department has moved its COVID-19 testing from the 6th and Ann location to the former Kmart at 78th and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tests are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are now saliva COVID-19 tests.

The tests now are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.

For more information about other test sites in Wyandotte County, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

For more information about the testing site at the former Kmart location, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/10092020_newtestingsitewyco.pdf.

The KU doctors’ news conference is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/263900601823997.

Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to ShareJoy@kumc.edu.

For more information, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order. Also, the Wyandotte County health order with a limit of 10 persons to a gathering, and a closing time of 10 p.m. for restaurants and bars, with other new restrictions, is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/11162020localhealthorderexecuted.pdf.

The UG COVID-19 webpage is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.

The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.

The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.

The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.

The CDC’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Three Wyandotte County students named to dean’s list at Missouri Valley

Three students from Wyandotte County have been named to the fall dean’s list at Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Missouri.

Students on the dean’s list have a 3.3 or higher grade point average, at least 12 graded hours for the semester and no D, F or incomplete grades for the semester.

On the dean’s list from Wyandotte County:

From Bonner Springs:

Meliyah Venerable, sophomore, mass communication;

From Kansas City, Kansas:

Morgan Dierks, sophomore, exercise science;
Gabriel Victor Goncalves Machado, sophomore, exercise science.

Gov. Kelly appoints Rogers as state treasurer

Lynn Rogers

Gov. Laura Kelly today announced her appointment of Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers as the new Kansas state treasurer.

Rogers will replace Jake LaTurner, who won election to a congressional seat in the 2nd District. Congressman-elect LaTurner takes office in January.

Gov. Kelly said Rogers will be sworn in as treasurer on Jan. 2. The treasurer’s term ends in January 2023.

“Lynn is uniquely qualified to serve as the Kansas state treasurer,” Gov. Kelly said. “He has over 40 years of experience as a banker – both in urban and rural areas alike. I’m grateful for his service in my administration, and I have no doubt he will keep doing great things for the people of Kansas in his new role.”

The governor said she will appoint a new lieutenant governor next week. She did not release the appointee’s name.

At a news conference Thursday, Gov. Kelly said Rogers spent his whole career in banking, mostly assisting farmers and ranchers. In the Kansas Senate and as lieutenant governor, he went on listening tours throughout the state to hear the concerns of residents. Rogers also previously served on the Wichita school board for a number of years.

“It is an honor to accept the position of Kansas State Treasurer,” Lt. Gov. Rogers said. “I spent my entire career in banking and bring to this position more than 40 years of experience working in all aspects of the industry. I look forward to applying all of this experience to helping protect the financial interests of Kansans.”

Ex-Gov. Jeff Colyer, a Republican, sent out a Tweet that Gov. Kelly ignored the will of the majority of the state’s voters and made a partisan appointment. He stated that she substituted her partisan preference for the votes of hundreds of thousands of Kansans who opted for Republican leadership.

Gov. Kelly responded at the news conference that the people of Kansas had elected Rogers to be lieutenant governor, so they like him, and there will be an election two years from now for the office if Rogers wants to continue as treasurer.

“I have no doubt he will do a stellar job,” she said.