Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

The delta variant is changing the COVID-19 pandemic playing field, adding a layer of complexity to understanding how the virus spreads and infects individuals. Additionally, vaccination status has become a topic of discussion with this highly transmissible variant.

What is known is that those individuals who are unvaccinated have a higher risk for serious illness and hospitalization with the delta variant.

Vaccinated people who test positive – called a “breakthrough” case because they break through the protection of the vaccine – often have only mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. However, there are some in the vaccinated group who are hospitalized.

Nationally, hospitals are reporting that fully vaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is a very small number. Because the delta variant is more contagious and vaccines don’t provide 100 percent protection, breakthrough cases are not unexpected.

At Stormont Vail, we are working to validate a review of the vaccination status for COVID-19 positive inpatients, as the data has many variables. This includes patients who are unvaccinated, partially or fully vaccinated from three different vaccines, as well as those who may have had previous infections. Another variable is the length of time after a vaccination has been completed. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots, with time between the shots, and the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine is a single dose – and all have a two week waiting period afterward to reach fully vaccinated status.

This is not a simple numeric equation, but one with numerous variables that impact the whole picture. When our review is complete, we will provide a cumulative report on vaccination status for COVID-19 positive inpatients each week.

Our COVID-19 scorecard does share the vaccination status for those we test for COVID-19. We are able to document vaccinations provided through our system, and when appropriate, make efforts to retrieve vaccination records from sources outside of our system.

The bottom line is that we are experiencing increased COVID-19 infection levels in our region. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals need to take precautions. It’s time to return to wearing masks, practice social distancing, and avoid crowded places.

Most of all, those who have not stepped up for the vaccine, including people with previous COVID-19 infections, need to get vaccinated to protect themselves and the rest of us.

Here are today’s updates:

• COVID-19 Scorecard (English | Spanish)

COVID-19 Scorecard

Here’s a look at today’s COVID-19 scorecard:

• We have 24 inpatients who are COVID-19 positive today.
• We have 53 COVID-19 positive patients in the outpatient Enhanced Primary Care program.
• The percentage of patients testing positive for COVID-19 at Stormont Vail facilities is 12.6%.
• We have 86,978 vaccinations, which included first and second doses of the vaccine.
• All Kansans age 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccines are available through the Stormont Vail Retail Pharmacy, 2252 S.W. 10^th
• To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
  • Go through your Stormont Vail MyChart
  • Use the online scheduling assistant at stormontvail.org/covid19/vaccine
  • Call (785) 270-4786.
• Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Appointments take approximately 30 minutes, including a 15-minute required observation.

Health Care Workers Vaccination Update

*Information available through 7/24/21. It does not include those who have received vaccine outside of Stormont Vail Health.

We together,
Robert Kenagy, MD