COVID cases surge in Kansas City as the new year arrives: here are three key takeaways
Kansas City is experiencing an unprecedented surge in new COVID-19 cases as residents prepare to ring in the new year. Officials in the metro area reported a total of 1,809 new cases on Wednesday alone, according to data gathered by The Star.
Doctors are urging residents to get vaccinated, get a booster shot and continue using safety measures like social distancing and mask wearing as patients flood local hospitals.
“At the height of this crisis, we bent the curve,” said Dr. Steven Stites, chief medical officer of the University of Kansas Health System, in a briefing on Wednesday. “Now we are being challenged to bend it again before it bends us.”
Here are three key takeaways from the current situation as we head into New Year’s weekend.
1. Delta, omicron and other viruses are all present
Experts noted that the current surge in COVID-19 cases is happening in tandem with a spike in other illnesses like the flu, straining an already burdened health system to its limits.
“We’re going to have flu this year, and that’s going to further stress our laboratory and our hospital,” said Dr. Rachael Liesman, director of molecular microbiology at the University of Kansas Health System in a briefing on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Her colleagues added that distinguishing COVID-19 from other diseases is nearly impossible because many viruses can cause a wide variety and severity of symptoms.
“There’s absolutely no way, based on symptoms, that you can distinguish between a common cold, omicron, and delta,” said Stites. He estimated that the delta and omicron variants are now at similar levels in the Kansas City area, with delta likely still the dominant variant for now.
What you can do: Don’t assume that a mild illness is nothing to worry about. If you start to feel sick, get tested as soon as possible. Here’s how to find and use an at-home test. If you can’t get your hands on one, the state of Missouri can send you one for free. You can also visit a testing location in the metro area. Finally, here’s what to do if you test positive.
2. Healthcare facilities are straining to meet demand
Rising case numbers aren’t just creating more hospital patients—they’re also impacting hospital staff. Yesterday, the University of Kansas Health System saw upwards of 300 staff members off work either due to their own illnesses or for quarantine purposes after an exposure to COVID-19.
“We have significant staffing shortages. You’re seeing people cancelling cases left and right, cancelling clinics because they can’t staff the practices,” said Dr. Stites. “We can’t staff the operating rooms, we can’t staff in-patient beds.”
Stites predicted that if current trends continue, more elective surgeries and other medical procedures will be soon cancelled than at any other point in the pandemic. He added that some healthcare workers are leaving the field permanently.
“People villainize folks in healthcare… Folks are making the decision to leave healthcare for different jobs that aren’t so stressful,” he said.
Here’s what you can do: If you have a non-essential medical procedure coming up soon, you may need to prepare for it to be postponed. Be aware that any medical personnel you do encounter are working under extremely stressful conditions. Do what you can to show your appreciation.
3. Vaccines work, including against variants
Doctors say that while a number of new COVID-19 treatments are in process at labs around the country, the current best way to protect yourself from the disease remains getting vaccinated and obtaining a booster shot.
Stites adds that the protection provided by these jabs is significant, even in the face of variants the vaccines were never designed to fight.
“It is nothing short of miraculous that the vaccinations, especially the mRNA vaccinations, work this well against so many different variants,” he said. Experts agree that vaccination provides more robust protection from COVID-19 than natural antibodies or any other treatments.
Here’s what you can do: Get vaccinated and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Booster shots increase the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and are especially important for seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccines and booster shots are free and do not require any health insurance or proof of U.S. citizenship.
Do you have more questions about staying safe from COVID-19 in Kansas City? Ask our Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com or fill out the form below.
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