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 [email protected].
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.