74 total COVID patients are being treated today at The University of Kansas Health System, down from 78 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
16 with the active virus today, 14 yesterday
1 in ICU, 2 yesterday
0 on ventilators, 0 yesterday
58 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 64 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Jamie Johnson, speech language pathologist, The University of Kansas Health System
Discussed patient, Dr. Thomas Seck, an area pediatrician who’s had to put his career on hold due to long term brain fog from COVID caught in March, 2020
Treatment involves speech and cognitive therapy and practicing everyday situations. Process is similar to someone who has suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
He’s made progress by pushing himself
No timeline for returning to work
Dr. Eric Ecklund-Johnson, clinical neuropsychologist, The University of Kansas Health System
Short term memory loss and loss of focus and concentration most common symptoms of COVID brain fog
Building a patient’s stamina and confidence are very important
Length of treatment varies by each patient
In most cases, people will get much better or even fully recover
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention and Control
Numbers are down, but still a large circulation of the virus in the community
Many hospitalized patients with COVID have other medical problems as well
Noted that Moderna says it’s COVID vaccine is 40% effective in very young children
Still unsure why some get long haul COVID symptoms while others do not
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
Noted that the flu vaccine was only 16 percent effective this year, but cases were down because of infection prevention measures
Wastewater testing shows the ba 2 COVID variant is on the rise
Noted a ba 2 surge in Europe. U.S. tends to lag six to eight weeks.
We must make good choices to continue the fight against COVID
Thursday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. You may recall last week we introduced you to a local woman who donated a kidney to a stranger, then celebrated by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Tomorrow, she and the recipient get together to share the whole experience with us.
