Texas has canceled its mask mandate, but that’s too early, according to doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at KU Health System said although COVID-19 transmission has been reduced, it hasn’t stopped yet. It’s been brought down because of the work they’ve done, he said at the Wednesday news morning conference.
Take away that work and the community transmission will accelerate, Dr. Stites said.
With President Biden announcing enough vaccine to everyone in America by the end of May, people need to keep their guard up and continue wearing masks, socially distance and get a vaccine, according to Dr. Stites.
“Don’t fumble the ball at the 10-yard line,” Dr. Stites said.
That doesn’t mean bars and restaurants can’t be open, he added. But people should keep their masks on, and should be careful, as coronavirus variants make things a lot harder.
Also discussed at the news conference was an increase during the pandemic of alcohol-related liver transplants. According to the doctors, more alcohol consumption during the pandemic caused a 40 to 50 percent increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver diseases nationally in some hospitals.
According to Dr. Ryan Taylor, transplant hepatologist, there are recommendations of limits on alcohol consumption for men and women. The risk of chronic health conditions increases if men have more than 14 drinks in one week, or if women have eight or more drinks per week. The CDC recommends men have no more than two drinks a day or less, and women, one drink a day or less.
Those who have fatty liver are more at risk if they also drink alcohol. To prevent fatty liver disease, eat healthier and exercise more, according to the doctors.
Dr. Timothy Schmitt, transplant director, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected organ donation. More organ donations now are coming from about 600 miles away than from locally, according to statistics. It is important for organ donors to continue donating, according to the doctors.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The total number of COVID-19 active and recovering COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Health System was 46 on Wednesday, a decrease of three from Tuesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. There were 15 active COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the same number as Tuesday. Five of those patients were in the intensive care unit, an increase of one from Tuesday. One of those was on a ventilator. There were another 31 patients hospitalized because of COVID-19 who were out of the acute phase, a decrease of three since Tuesday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 15 COVID-19 case on Wednesday, March 3, for a cumulative 17,705 cases. There was a cumulative total of 270 deaths reported, the same as Tuesday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 160,713 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 93. Cumulative deaths in the nine-county area were 2,231. MARC also reported a large batch update resulting in unusually high “newly reported” data.
The state of Kansas reported 295,109 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, March 3, an increase of 807 cases since Monday. There were a total cumulative 4,816 deaths, an increase of 73 deaths since Monday, according to KDHE figures.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday night reported 28,759,725 cases in the United States, with 518,345 total deaths nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Thursday
Free COVID-19 testing is available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Vibrant Health Argentine location, 1428 S. 32nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. No appointment is necessary for this test. Tests are available regardless of symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. The tests are in conjunction with the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Pierson Community Center COVID-19 testing site at 831 S. 55th is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Thursday. The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open Thursday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests there on Thursday. There is also another UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway. More information is at 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.
The Health Department is offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
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.
Walk-in vaccines available for those 85 and older
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines for Wyandotte County residents who are over 65.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 85 or older can walk in and do not need an appointment at the vaccination sites at 7836 State Ave. and 10500 Parallel Parkway. The sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those who are 65 and older, as well as critical workers, still need appointments for vaccines.
All those 65 and older should bring an ID or other proof of age, such as driver’s license, government ID or birth certificate, as well as something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as an ID or a piece of mail.
For more vaccine information, and to fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
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.
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/3743192269109432.
The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/patient-visitor/covid19-update.
A weekly vaccine report for the state of Kansas is at
https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-22521?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.
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.