More kids with COVID-19 at BC Children's Hospital, but most are there for other reasons, doctor says
While the number of young patients at BC Children's Hospital with COVID-19 has increased slightly, an infectious disease expert stressed that the majority of them were admitted for different reasons.
As of Thursday, there are 11 kids at the hospital with COVID-19. Dr. Laura Sauve, who is a pediatric infectious disease specialist, said about three-quarters happen to have the virus, while the rest are there to be treated because of the virus.
The increase in patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 is linked to higher levels of transmission in the community, Sauve said, and not a reason to panic.
"We have a small number of children hospitalized because of COVID, and that's been no different than we've seen over the last month," Sauve added.
Earlier this week, BC Children's Hospital took to social media to address what it called "misinformation" about a sudden spike in cases involving kids.
"We are not currently seeing a dramatic change in hospitalization rates in children due to COVID-19," the hospital said on Twitter.
The distinction Sauve made is one the provincial health officer said is being looked at in the government's reporting. B.C. currently reports how many people are being treated due to the virus, as well as those who happen to test positive while hospitalized for other reasons.
Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters last week that the number may not capture the true impact of the Omicron variant, which resulted in record-breaking hospitalization numbers Thursday.
"We're in the process right now of trying to tease through what's the best measure for us to understand the impact of Omicron on the severity of illness and on hospitalizations," Henry said.
Sauve said the biggest impact she's seen on kids is the impact on their mental health, noting that isolation from friends and family can be devastating.
To boost their protection, she recommended parents get their children vaccinated, even if the rate of hospitalization is low.
"It's another layer of protection the will decrease the already small chance of having severe disease," Sauve told CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.