Chief medical officers discuss spread of disease, health care system strain

Public health departments have been working with our metro’s hospital systems in strong collaboration since COVID-19 entered our region. We have appreciated this partnership which is imperative for a safe and health community.

Today, we heard several concerns voiced from our region’s hospital chief medical officers. Due to COVID-19, our hospitals are at a critical juncture between concern and crisis.

“Bed capacity is a significant concern. Hospitals reported becoming aware recently that the hospital data available regarding bed capacity and utilization is not aligning with what hospital staff see in their wards and units every day. We were pleased to hear they will be working hard to remedy that and provide more usable, real world data about the availability of staffed beds that can be used for COVID-19 patients to help health departments and elected officials make recommendations and decisions to protect our community” states Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

Follow the safety precautions

• Wear masks
• Physically distance (six feet or more) from others you don’t live with
• Stay home if you are sick
• Avoid crowded indoor gatherings at homes, restaurants, bars and other event venues where transmission is more likely to occur
• Practice good hand hygiene

Read more from the chief medical officers in the KC metro area.