Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System say the number of COVID-19 patients being treated looks “quite a bit better today.” 27 patients are hospitalized, down from 32 yesterday. 11 patients are in the ICU, same as yesterday. Seven patients are on ventilators, down from 8 yesterday. 30 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s down from 32 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 16 total COVID-19 inpatients today, same as yesterday, with one of those patients in the recovery phase. Doctors note the rolling 7- day average number of new cases in the Metro area is “definitely going in the wrong direction.” Just five weeks ago, the average was 262 new cases a day, and today that number is above 420.
Phil Griffin, KDHE Director of Bureau of Disease and Prevention, joined the panel to update how the COVID-19 vaccine will roll-out across Kansas, when it might happen and who would get it first.
Phil Griffin said it’s possible the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine for Kansas will be available in mid-November. He outlined a three-phase plan for distribution. In the first phase will be those at greatest risk and hospital workers who care for COVID-19 patients, followed by first responders and nursing home workers. The second phase will include essential workers and the vaccine should be more widely available to the general public by spring to the middle of next year. The third phase will feature full market availability. There are plans in place, similar to flu shot distribution, to reach the whole state’s population, especially those in smaller communities without a nearby CVS or Walgreens. In the Kansas City Metro area, Griffin says people on both sides of the state line will have equal access to the vaccine. He says the goal is to vaccinate 80% of the population, which he admits could be a challenge, given that only 40% get a flu shot. But he says those who follow the science will be convinced of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. He pointed to the KDHE website for new details of the distribution plan. He also said the cost of the vaccine will be paid for by the Federal Government.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, said once you get the vaccine, it should take effect in about 14 days. He says there may also be a booster shot needed 30 days later. He does not think there is a big worry among scientists that the virus will mutate. He discussed herd immunity and COVID-19, and why hoping that will stop the virus is not realistic. He’s also glad to see the CDC now “strongly recommends” wearing a mask on all public transportation, something he’s been advocating, and demonstrating, since his vacation earlier this year.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, noted there are currently 35-45 vaccines in trials, and we won’t know for a while which is the best. To those who may be unsure about it, he says we must ask ourselves if we’re better off with the vaccine than without it. Regardless, he says the pillars of infection prevention, mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing, will be with us for a long time, and are still the best defense against COVID-19.
Wednesday, October 21 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Dr. Becky Lowry, Internal, General and Geriatric Medicine is joined by Dr. Ravi Sabapahty, PsyD at Advent Health, to update frontline workers’ state of mind and how they’re holding up during this marathon and what you can do to support them.
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