After several days of lower numbers, a big increase today in the number of active COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System. 70 people with the active virus are hospitalized, up from 56 last Wednesday. 28 patients are in the ICU, up from 27. 15 of those ICU patients are on ventilators today, down from 20. 56 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, down from 71. That’s a total of 126 patients, down from 127 last Wednesday. In addition, HaysMed has a total of 23 COVID-19 inpatients, down from 24 last Wednesday, with 16 of those active patients and 7 in the recovery phase.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, began the Morning Media Update by keeping his promise to receive his first dose of the Moderna vaccine live on the air. After a 15-minute observation period he reported feeling fine with no side effects. He’ll get his second shot in about a month. Dana Hawkinson, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, received his first vaccine on the air last Tuesday. Each received their shots based on how often they see COVID-19 patients. As the vaccine supplies increase, so will the distribution to other non-clinical workers. Dr. Stites says even when vaccinated, it’s vital we all continue to observe the pillars of infection prevention, which include wearing a mask.
On the Morning Media Update today, Dr. Kevin Ault, OBGYN and CDC ACIP member, updated vaccine recommendations for expectant mothers while Dr. Angela Myers, Division Director of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Mercy Hospital joined to talk about COVID-19 related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
Dr. Ault addressed a question about whether patients should get just the first dose in order to stretch the supply. He says that idea makes him nervous, since the vaccine effectiveness was based on getting both shots. He also says it’s perfectly safe for expectant moms to get the vaccine and adds there’s no data that moms can pass the virus on to their newborns. He tells patients thinking of becoming pregnant that it is safe to conceive in a pandemic and advises them to check with their doctors. He also debunked as myths the claims that the vaccine alters your DNA and that fetal parts and tissue are used to make them. He says only four million doses have been given so far but expects the vaccine supply will increase greatly in the coming weeks.
Dr. Myers has noticed an increase in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19. She says in general, younger kids are less likely to spread the disease than older ones. She notes studies have shown school-age children with the virus have not contracted it in the classroom, but at parties, gatherings and play dates, which could be a problem as schools reopen after the Christmas and New Year’s break. For those hesitant to get the vaccine she recommends discussing your concerns with someone you trust.
Dr. Hawkinson says we might be starting to see a surge of patients infected between Thanksgiving and Christmas. He reports seeing one patient who was infected from a Christmas gathering. He notes even though Kansas is last in the country in the number of vaccinations, mostly because of its many rural communities, he expects that will improve greatly in the coming weeks, especially when another vaccine is approved. He emphasized it’s false to believe that if you’ve had COVID-19 you’re now immune and don’t have to wear a mask. He reminded us there may be a 60-90-day window where you can’t be reinfected but could become infected again after that. He says you can definitely still give it to others within that time frame, which is why it’s vital to keep wearing a mask, even if you’ve been vaccinated.
Dr. Stites has noticed about 30 percent of healthcare workers have opted out of the vaccine so far and believes those “vaccine hesitant” people are waiting to see how the first ones to get it respond. He believes skipping the vaccine is like telling COVID-19, “Go ahead, step ahead of me,” and puts ourselves and our loved ones at risk. He says our New Year’s resolutions should include making sure we get our health screenings. He stresses now is the time to play both offense and defense to beat COVID-19 and the rules of infection prevention must go with us everywhere.

Tuesday, January 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. Dr. Michael Rippee, a sport neurologist, joins the panel. He is starting to see some long hauler patients who are suffering “brain fog”' and “chronic headaches” since catching COVID-19. Dr. Rippee will tell us what he advises for these patients and let us know how he's feeling after recently receiving his COVID-19 shot.

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