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
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.