COVID-19 symptoms have evolved in sixth wave: expert
COVID-19 has evolved in the sixth wave, presenting new symptoms among those infected, making it even more challenging to pinpoint the virus.
Dr. Charmaine van Schaik, former Chief of Pediatrics at Southlake Regional Hospital in Newmarket, said children have presented with a wide range of symptoms lately.
In the early stage of the pandemic, most would lose taste or smell and come down with a high fever after becoming infected.
In recent weeks, Dr. van Schaik said symptoms that parents might see in general with a sick child could now be COVID-19.
"A lot of what we're hearing and seeing is fatigue. It's those runny noses, mild congestive symptoms and sometimes some gastrointestinal symptoms with vomiting and diarrhea."
Based on data, COVID-19 is still rapidly spreading in parts of the province. Still, many experts believe Ontario has reached the peak of the sixth wave.
MYSTERY LIVER ILLNESS IN CHILDREN
Health officials worldwide report children are developing severe cases of hepatitis with no known cause, something an Ontario pediatrician says remains a mystery.
While no cases had been discovered in Canada, Dr. van Schaik said it's possible there may have been cases, but officials are still learning as information becomes available.
"I suspect we've seen some [cases], and we're just in that process of identifying them more specifically. There's very little known of the etiology."
She notes that it remains unclear what is causing the severe cases and that experts are exploring a possible COVID-19 infection relationship, "but we really don't know at the present time."
Symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea and then, in the days and weeks to follow, jaundice, which Dr. van Schaik said consists of the yellowing of skin and eyes.
If symptoms occur, Dr. van Schaik suggested seeking medical attention.
MENTAL HEALTH AMONG KIDS
Meanwhile, the pediatrician said mental health among children has benefitted from being back to in-person learning and face-to-face socializing.
Following weeks of online learning and isolation from their peers, the mental health of children and youths became a serious topic among officials.
Dr. van Schaik said the return to the classroom "helps bring things back to normal as much as possible."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.