Kentucky Children’s Hospital at full capacity due to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – More and more children are testing positive for COVID-19.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital says it is seeing an increase in Covid cases in children under the age of twelve who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital chief medical officer Dr Scottie Day told us the hospital is at full capacity with children being treated for Covid and other respiratory illnesses.

Dr Day says the hospital treats, on average, two to ten patients per day. He says healthy children can catch the virus, but those with underlying health conditions, like obesity, are at higher risk.

According to health experts, the severity of COVID-19 in children can vary. Symptoms can range from headaches to fever.

At least 500 children in the United States have died.

Dr Day says that the most serious cases often occur in adolescents. This is why he encourages all people 12 years of age and over to get vaccinated. It also highlights the effectiveness of wearing masks in schools.

“The reason we as children’s and pediatrician hospitals try to highlight this is that if kids come in and get viral illnesses and miss weeks of school because they’re quarantined, it hurts. also to their education and mental health. “said Dr Day.

Days says the Kentucky Children’s Hospital saw a significant increase in mental health visits last year, of children with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Dr Day explained that Kentucky Children’s Hospital is also seeing an increase in other respiratory illnesses like RSV. He mentioned that it is important for the hospital to reduce its capacity, especially as we are about to enter trauma season.

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