'Highest surge I've seen since H1N1 in 2009:' RSV cases in children rapidly rising
A surge in respiratory viruses in children is putting strain on an already burdened system, as hospitals in York Region and Simcoe County report a rapid rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
"It's probably the highest surge I've seen since H1N1 in 2009 of the influenza outbreak," said Dr. Sarah Barker, Soldiers' Memorial Hospital pediatrician.
Currently, Orillia's Soldiers' Memorial Hospital capacity is running up to 150 per cent, adding to a load many hospitals are already struggling to bare.
"At times, we've actually had to put kids on our obstetrical ward because we only have so much physical space," said Barker.
"We're collaborating daily with RVH pediatrics service so children in our region, which ranges from Parry Sound to Midland to Collingwood to Huntsville, can get a bed when they need it. Both of us have been working at most of the time greater than 100 per cent capacity."
The situation is overwhelming with the triple threat of RSV, COVID-19 and the flu.
In response, Southlake Regional Health Centre has increased its staffing and bed capacity.
"Our numbers are up both in admissions for viruses in general and RSV specifically," said Dr. Charmaine Van Schaik, pediatrician and Chief of Staff at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
With people no longer masking and public health measures lifted, doctors say children are exposed to many viruses.
"We are seeing it with greater intensity this time not just in the numbers but in the degree of unwellness of the children," said Van Schaik.
RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, cough and fever, but can be severe for younger children and those with pre-existing conditions.
"In little babies, especially premature ones, they can get much sicker if infected by this virus," said Dr. Vincent Ho, neonatologist and pediatrician at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie.
"Maybe your child doesn't have high-risk factors but could easily come in contact with one who does, so it's important we keep that in mind as we move forward," Ho added.
While most kids with RSV won't need hospital care, doctors say there are signs parents can watch for, like difficulty breathing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
'What have we done?' Lawyer describes shock at possible role in Trump's 2016 victory
A lawyer who negotiated a pair of hush money deals at the centre of Donald Trump's criminal trial recalled Thursday his "gallows humor" reaction to Trump's 2016 election victory and the realization that his hidden-hand efforts might have contributed to the win.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
New scam targets Canada Carbon Rebate recipients
Fake text message and email campaigns trying to get money and information out of unsuspecting Canadian taxpayers have started circulating, just months after the federal government rebranded the carbon tax rebate the Canada Carbon Rebate.
Universities grapple with the complicated politics of campus encampments
Montreal police are facing pressure to move in and dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on McGill University campus on Thursday, as a growing number of universities across this country grapple with the tough decision of how to handle the protests.
Police order B.C. woman who praised Hamas not to protest for 5 months, says her group
A pro-Palestinian activist group says its international co-ordinator, who was arrested in a Vancouver hate-crime investigation, was released with an order not to attend any protests for the next five months.
Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email
A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.
Loblaw leaders call criticism 'misguided,' say they aren't to blame for high food prices
Loblaw chairman Galen Weston and the company's new CEO are pushing back against critics who blame the grocery giant for soaring food prices, as a month-long boycott of the retailer gets underway.