Kansas City is competing in the Super Bowl on Sunday in Florida, but it’s not a good time for the traditional parties and gatherings, according to doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, said it’s going to be very important to wear masks, socially distance, stay home when sick, not meet in large groups and don’t go beyond your bubble.
If people invite others from their workplace, and if someone at the party has the COVID-19 infection, it could rule out three to four people from the same workplace from going to work, he said. It’s important not to do that in the future, and not to increase your bubble, he said.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said. If people can hold out a little further, that line of sight would be much better, he said.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, said people want to take time off from the virus, but it’s a gamble, because the virus does not take time off. The virus works hard every day to spread, he said.
“You still have to follow the rules of infection control,” Dr. Stites said. “Stay in your bubble, wear your mask.”
There will be a lot more seasons to watch quarterback Patrick Mahomes, in the future, he said. Doctors are recommending that people stay home and watch the football game with their household.
During the news conference Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association, said the last 12 months had been like a roller-coaster ride.
The hospitals began with being concerned about hospital capacity, securing supplies and preserving personal protective equipment, he said. Then they were later concerned about the effect on staffing, with a number of staffing issues. Lately, they have been focusing on adequate testing, and now the priority has shifted to vaccines and getting adequate supplies of them, he said.
Herb Kuhn, president of the Missouri Hospital Association, said hospitals in Missouri feel like they’re getting the Mike Tyson treatment.
“He said, ‘Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face,’“ Kuhn said. Hospitals have been punched, but they and the physicians and nurses have punched back hard, he said.
Telemedicine helped, he said, and hospitals have been very adaptable to the shortages that occurred along the way.
Health departments currently are directing vaccine distribution, but as more vaccine becomes available, both organization directors expected to see more involvement from hospitals, as well as more involvement by physicians and pharmacies in vaccine distribution.
Austin said, regarding Medicaid expansion, that Kansas now is an island, with surrounding states having moved forward with Medicaid expansion. They are hoping that Congress will provide some incentives to get the 12 remaining states, including Kansas, to move forward with Medicaid expansion, he said. Many polls have found public support for Medicaid expansion, he added.
According to Austin, one positive effect from the pandemic has been a lot of collaboration and partnerships developed among hospitals, health departments and local governments.
The question of whether one should forgo a second shot in order to vaccinate more people was discussed, with doctors generally supporting using the vaccine according to the manufacturer’s directions, getting a second shot of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine after three to four weeks. Dr. Hawkinson said he believed the second shot would prevent more deaths.
Dr. Stites had been scheduled to get his second vaccine shot on Monday morning, but it had to be postponed until Tuesday because of a shortage of vaccine at the hospital.
Dr. Stites said the situation with the vaccine shortage will change in a few months, and then the challenge will be getting the vaccine to the people as fast as possible. At that time, hospitals and other health care providers will probably play a larger role in helping with vaccine distribution.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The University of Kansas Health System reported 43 active COVID-19 patients in the hospital on Monday morning, a decrease of seven from Friday, according to Dr. Hawkinson. Ten of the patients were in the intensive care unit, no change from Friday, and five of the ICU patients were on ventilators on Monday, a decrease of three since Friday. Another 60 patients were hospitalized because of COVID-19 but were no longer in the acute infection phase, an increase of five since Friday. There was a total 103 COVID-19 patients at the hospital, a decrease of two since Friday.
According to the doctors, increased mask wearing and vaccinations are responsible for the case numbers, which have reached lows not seen since late November.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 20 COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 1, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 17,009 cases. There was a cumulative total of 225 deaths, an increase of three since Sunday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 148,827 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday. There were 1,861 cumulative deaths, and 117 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.
The state of Kansas reported 276,668 COVID-19 cases statewide on Monday, an increase of 1,983 cases since Friday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 30deaths reported, with a cumulative total of 3,809.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 26,317,623 cumulative cases in the United States, with 443,355 total deaths nationwide.
Kansas counties with highest numbers of total COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to the KDHE:
Sedgwick County (Wichita area), 50,270
Johnson County, 50,030
Wyandotte County, 18,216
Shawnee County, 15,278
Reno County, 8,059
Douglas County, 7,832
Butler County, 6,804
Leavenworth County, 6,247
Free COVID-19 tests Tuesday
Free COVID-19 testing is available from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the All Saints parish, 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
An appointment is not needed. People may be tested whether or not they have symptoms. The test is sponsored by the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force and Vibrant Health Care.
The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Appointments are not needed for tests. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The UG Health Department recently added flu testing to the COVID-19 test at the Kmart building. Only one swab is used for the two tests. The Health Department estimates a two- to three-day wait for COVID-19 results. For the flu, the department only contacts people if it is positive.
Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are nasopharyngeal swab tests. The Health Department no longer uses saliva tests.
The tests 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.
COVID-19 tests will be available Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. Appointments are required. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
Wyandotte County residents who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine may fill out a survey form at the UG Health Department at https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572. Residents will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine becomes available.
Testing sites are at 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/164032428611732.
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The new health order on hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/localhealthofficerorder011221.pdf.
Information about the new health order on extended hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/01112021ugissuesnewbarrestaurantorder.pdf.
The school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/localhealthofficerschoolorder01042021.pdf.
A letter explaining the school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/schoolletter_01052021_english.pdf.
To see information about the UG giving vaccines to health care workers, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/ug-to-start-giving-covid-19-vaccines-to-health-department-and-ems-personnel-next-week/.
The KDHE vaccine report is at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-12121?bidId=
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].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
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.