Doctors say there are several key reasons they look states away for what the future of COVID-19 looks like in Kansas

Doctors say there are several key reasons they look states away for what the future of COVID-19 looks like in Kansas

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Doctors say there are several key reasons they look states away for what the future of COVID-19 looks like in Kansas

A hospital shortage in Georgia could predict a similar future for Kansas.

COVID-19 infections are rising in both states.

Kansas and Georgia share some similar demographics. That's why doctors here say it could be time to wear masks again in our metro.

The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is now high in about 42 percent of the country.

It's medium or high in about 80 percent of the United States.

Infectious diseases don't pay attention to borders, and that's why it's so important to deal with problems when they are small,” University of St. Mary Dr. Amber Schmidtke said.

Schmidtke says like Kansas, Georgia has low vaccination rates. But because Atlanta is a travel hub, Georgia often shows Kansas what's in the future.

Right now, it's hard to find a hospital bed in Georgia.

“Understand the virus is still circulating in quite a high amount right now,” KU Health System Dr. Dana Hawkinson said.

The Mid America Regional Council shows average daily COVID-19 cases are up, similar to the numbers in July during previous years.

“We also don't have the most robust testing and reporting as we used to because so many people have shifted to those at-home tests,” Schmidtke said.

She says people who want to avoid infection should get boosted when possible, avoid crowds and wear masks indoors.

“I don't know that we are going to see the political will to reinstate the mask requirement,” Schmidtke said.

The Food and Drug Administration could decide later this week if people 50 and younger who don't currently qualify for a second booster shot might become eligible.

The Biden administration and drug manufacturers are working to potentially make an updated vaccine available as early as the fall.

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