Tag: COVID-19

On a 9-1 vote, the Unified Government Commission on Thursday night voted to lift some COVID-19 restrictions.

The action at the 7 p.m. meeting follows a similar move earlier this week by Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County, Missouri, to lift some restrictions. Additionally, Johnson County, Kansas, commissioners earlier today voted to make its restrictions just “recommendations.”

The new UG ordinance will remove the mask-wearing requirement outdoors and remove social distancing requirements in Wyandotte County.

However, mask-wearing requirements will remain in public places indoors. Mask removal may take place indoors when all individuals have been fully vaccinated, according to the change.

The UG Health Department still recommends continued mask-wearing and social distancing, according to Health Department officials who spoke at the 5 p.m. UG Commission meeting.

The changes go into effect tonight (at 12:01 a.m. April 30) and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. May 28.

As described by Misty Brown, UG attorney, the UG’s ordinance is similar to recent changes made by Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County, Missouri.

The latest Wyandotte County vaccination rates, out Wednesday, showed that 28 percent of the residents had received at least one dose of vaccine, while 21 percent had completed their vaccination series.

This is far below the 70 percent needed for herd immunity, according to UG Health Department doctors.

Commissioner Gayle Townsend was the only commissioner who voted against the ordinance change at the 7 p.m. meeting.

During the 5 p.m. meeting, Commissioner Townsend said she had read over the current mask and distancing ordinance.

If they relax measures while they have low vaccination numbers, they are not doing themselves and the populace any favors, she said. The numbers do not support anything other than the ordinance that was in effect, she said.

She added she was concerned about the residents of District 1, where vaccinations were not as high, and that if the individuals there become ill it always presents more of a challenge, including an economic challenge.

Commissioner Townsend had read over the current ordinance, which already had a lot of exemptions. This current ordinance said that whenever people were outdoors in public spaces and unable to maintain 6 feet of space, they had to wear a mask. If they could maintain 6 feet of distance, they were not required to wear a mask outdoors.

Commissioner Melissa Bynum asked what would happen at the Kansas City Monarchs baseball games at Village West if the ordinance change passed.

According to Juliann Van Liew, Health Department director, the owners could enforce a mask requirement if they wanted, but under the new rules, masks would not be required there unless the owners mandated it, because it is outdoors.

She also said the Health Department still encourages people to wear masks at larger venues such as concerts and sporting events.

Commissioner Bynum also asked about the Health Department allowing the three cities in the county to make their own decisions on masks.

Van Liew said it’s not the Health Department’s recommendation. There is fluidity and movement in the county, and it doesn’t make sense epidemiologically to do that, she said.

Dr. Erin Corriveau, deputy UG Health Department medical officer, said it is important to move together as a county.

Commissioner Bynum also said she had received questions about why people should be concerned about other people getting vaccinated.

Van Liew said there are many people in the community who are immune-compromised, including those who have received transplants. She said many do not have an immune response. People should get vaccinated for the others in the community who can’t get a vaccine or who can’t mount an immune response, she said. And it’s also for kids, who can’t receive the vaccine yet but can still get COVID. It’s all about protecting one another, she said.

Dr. Corriveau said that people may be vaccinated but still able to carry COVID. For individuals who don’t have vaccinations, if they are not in the same household, it is important to wear a mask, she said. The risk of gathering together with people who are not vaccinated is not worth taking at this point, especially with variants.

Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer, said the virus will stay around until enough people are vaccinated, when it will burn itself out. It took decades to get polio and smallpox eliminated in the United States, he said. If not enough people are vaccinated, COVID-19 will stay around.

Dr. Greiner said Wyandotte County has been giving out vaccines at a rate of around 1,500 a week, and at that rate, it won’t reach 70 percent of the residents until early 2022. Seventy percent is the bare minimum to reach herd immunity, he said.

With a recent slowdown in the rate of people getting vaccinated here, and also in other communities, there were several initiatives Wyandotte County is implementing.

According to Van Liew, on the week of May 10, the Health Department will launch a third mobile vaccination team that will be able to respond to larger vaccination events. They currently have two teams that can do 30 to 50 vaccinations in an afternoon, and in the future, the will be able to do 100. Residents may request mobile vaccination through the UG Health Department’s COVID-19 website.

During the week of May 10, the Health Department will limit the hours at the Best Buy and Armory vaccination facilities, with the former Best Buy open on Monday and Tuesday, and the Armory open Wednesday through Saturday, she said.

The Health Department also will send teams to canvass neighborhoods that have low vaccination rates, according to Van Liew. Six persons have been hired from the Zip Code areas that have low vaccination rates, she said. They have been trained to discuss vaccination options, science, and will answer questions of residents.

Also launched is an initiative to reach the African-American community through six flagship churches, plus 30 cohort churches, she said. Churches will receive money for the outreach effort. The churches will do outreach with members, encouraging vaccinations. So far, almost 1,900 people have been vaccinated through this effort, she added.

They are currently planning a similar initiative for Hispanic churches, she added.

The Health Department also has held a town hall meeting with the Congolese community, involving churches and community leaders, according to Van Liew.

In addition, an event was held for the Nepalese community at the Armory, where hundreds participated, she said.

The Health Department also launched a poster contest to engage children, she said. The deadline for that contest is April 30. Gift cards will be given to winners of the contest.

A business outreach has also been started, and businesses were asked to reach out to their neighborhoods to promote vaccinations.

There also have been meetings with more than 160 businesses, and also with business groups, she said.

The UG Commission discussed the changed ordinance at its 5 p.m. special session, but did not make the proposed ordinance itself available until just before the 7 p.m. meeting. The vote was added to the 7 p.m. agenda after 6 p.m. April 29.

The 5 p.m. April 29 UG Commission meeting is online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXaYkQfLySc.

The revised UG ordinance is on the revised UG agenda for 7 p.m. April 29 at https://www.wycokck.org/Clerk/Agendas.aspx.

Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System discussed new CDC guidelines on mask-wearing on Wednesday morning.

The CDC this week issued guidelines saying it was OK for fully vaccinated people to not wear masks outdoors.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, said they were concerned that it would be dangerous to take masks off indoors.

The CDC is trying to take baby steps and keep the most people protected as possible, he added.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, said if everyone is vaccinated when they’re inside, it’s one statement. If they are around someone who are sick, it’s another statement. From 90 to 95 percent of COVID-19 infections are developed inside, he said.

“We know that being outside is clearly safer,” he said. If you’re in a crowded area outside, close to each other, you can still transmit COVID-19 to others, he said.

If you will have guests, he said people need to ask themselves, first, if the people they are going to have over to their homes are all fully vaccinated. Second, do the people you are around have contacts with others who are immunocompromised, he asked.

Dr. Stites said it makes him a little nervous when people say they want to open up all indoor dining, with a packed house.

“We know that the majority of Americans are still not vaccinated,” he said.

It is also important to take into account the ventilation and number of people who are vaccinated indoors, according to the doctors.

Only one of the 11 active COVID-19 patients currently at the KU Health System was vaccinated before admission, according to the doctors.

Dr. Stites said the pace of vaccinations has slowed at KU Health System, as well as through the two-state area, and they are still vaccinating people every day. They would like more people to get vaccinated, so they can all get back to herd immunity and normal faster.

Dr. Hawkinson said there have been asymptomatic people who have been admitted to the hospital for a different reason, but are found to be positive. It’s a concern that they have been out in the community, possibly spreading COVID, without knowing it.

The highest proportion of deaths occur in those over 65 and those over 80, he said. There aren’t any COVID patients over 80 currently in the hospital, which is a testament to vaccinations, he said.

Dr. Hawkinson advised people to get vaccinated. That includes young adults, he said. Current patients may use MyChart to make an appointment. Others may call 913-588-1227 or visit kansashealthsystem.com/vaccine to make a vaccine appointment.

Dr. Stites said it is safe and effective to get vaccinated. Hospitals show that infection control and vaccinations work, he said.

Dr. Hawkinson said about 50 percent of all COVID-19 tests in Kansas are now showing the UK variant, with about 10 percent showing the California variant.

Anil Gharmalker of Parsons, Kansas, a long-haul patient, said a year ago, he didn’t know if he would survive. He said his doctor told him he should feel grateful he is still here, because a year ago some of his organs were failing.

“We celebrate leaving on May 7,” he said. But he had to come back for different surgeries because he was having trouble breathing. He still has inflammation flare-ups every two to three weeks, he said, and steroids have been effective.

He also said he had a pretty strong response to a COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s been difficult and kind of surreal,” he said about the last year. For everything that happened, there is a cost, he said. It’s likely that his lifespan has shortened, he thinks. Going forward, they are being very intentional of how they use the time that is left, he said.

Around 30 percent of those who had COVID-19 have long-haul symptoms, Dr. Hawkinson said. They also have an increased risk of excess mortality or having to go back to the hospital, he said.

Dr. Leslie Spikes, pulmonologist, said the numbers in the long-haul clinic have grown. Of eight new patients she recently saw, five were under the age of 30, she said. Most have persistent shortness of breath, some have chest discomfort, and many have fatigue and an overwhelming need to take naps during the day, she added.

“It is just another reason to get vaccinated so you don’t get this,” Dr. Spikes said.

Some long-haul patients who get vaccinated feel better after vaccinations, she said. They hope that over time, most patients will get back to normal, she said.

Free walk-in vaccinations available

Free walk-in vaccinations will be available for everyone over age 16 on Thursday, April 29, at three Unified Government Health Department locations.

The three locations are the former Kmart store at 78th and State, open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday; the Kansas National Guard Armory at 18th and Ridge, Kansas City, Kansas, open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday; and the former Best Buy location at 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, open from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Those who wish to schedule an appointment may use the Health Department’s self-scheduling tool at WycoVaccines.org and click on a blue button that says, “Click here to schedule an appointment online.” The page is available in Spanish by clicking at the top of the page.

Those who don’t have an internet connection may call 3-1-1 or 913-573-5311 for assistance in scheduling their vaccination appointment time and date.
To see more information about Health Department vaccinations and next week’s schedule, visit WycoVaccines.org.

Other sites available for vaccination

KU Health System offers vaccinations seven days a week at different locations. Appointments are required. Current patients may use MyChart to make an appointment. Others may call 913-588-1227 or visit kansashealthsystem.com/vaccine to see if vaccines are available.

The University of Kansas Health System also is open to anyone. People can call to get an appointment whether they are patients or not at the health system.

There are also pharmacies giving COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacy at 76th and State Avenue, and 81st and State Avenue (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/), and Medicine Shoppe pharmacy at 65th and Parallel by appointment when available (see https://www.facebook.com/The-Medicine-Shoppe-Kansas-City-281548241870522). CVS pharmacy also has announced that it will offer COVID-19 vaccines at one of its stores in Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is at CVS.com.

Other pharmacies and sites giving vaccines are listed at vaccinefinder.org.

Case numbers reported

The University of Kansas Health System reported a slight decrease in COVID-19 patients Wednesday. There were 11 active COVID-19 patients on Wednesday morning, a decrease of four since Tuesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. Of the 11 patients, four were in the intensive care unit, a decrease of one since Tuesday. Three patients were on a ventilator, a decrease of one from Tuesday. There were another 11 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized but are out of the acute infection phase, no change from Tuesday. There is a total 26 patients, an increase of four since Tuesday.

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 19 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, April 28, for a cumulative 18,420 cases, according to the Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. There was a cumulative total of 290 deaths reported, no change from Tuesday. Vaccination figures, updated on Wednesday, showed 28 percent of Wyandotte County residents, or 46,266, had had at least one COVID vaccination shot, and 21 percent had completed their vaccination.

The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 169,792 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 60. The number of cumulative deaths was 2,384.

KDHE reported 308,510 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Wednesday, April 28, an increase of 645 cases since Monday. There were a total cumulative 4,978 deaths reported statewide, an increase of eight.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday night reported 32,229,327 cumulative cases in the United States, with 574,326 total deaths reported nationwide.

Free testing available Thursday

Unified Government Health Department COVID-19 will have three free COVID-19 testing sites open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 29. The sites are the former Best Buy store at 10500 Parallel Parkway; the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave.; and the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th St. (near 18th and Ridge), Kansas City, Kansas.

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. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept. Appointments are not needed.

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.

The Health Department’s general contact page is at https://www.wycokck.org/Health/Contact.aspx. Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

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. There are more test sites listed on this page.

Saliva testing is now offered at the UG Health Department. For more information, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02042021-ugphd-saliva-testing-available.pdf.

The KU doctors’ news conference is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/525992972142604.

The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/292961702392386.

A weekly vaccine report for the state of Kansas is at
https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-22521?bidId=.

Wyandotte County has a local mask and social distancing ordinance approved by the UG Commission. 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 Johns Hopkins Data in Motion, a presentation on critical COVID-19 data in the past 24 hours, is at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-daily-video.