Surge In Respiratory Illnesses In CT Children 'Unprecedented': Reports

CONNECTICUT — The number of respiratory illnesses involving children is steadily on the rise in Connecticut and two of the state's children's hospitals are seeing a surge in patients, according to media reports.

The number of children suffering from respiratory illness, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has led to over capacity conditions at Connecticut Children's Hospital in Hartford, reported WTNH News 8. The National Guard may be needed to erect a tent outside the hospital.

The rise in cases began in September and has steadily increased, WTNH News 8 reported.

WTNH News 8 reported that the number of cases at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital rose from 57 to 106 recently. Health officials urged parents to get their children vaccinated for the flu.

Dr. Juan Salazar, who is executive vice president and physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s, told NBC Connecticut that "this is unprecedented. We’ve never seen this before, and it’s creating challenges."

The state health department is reviewing the situation and is searching for a solution. Salazar said a "weakened immunity" due to safety measures utilized during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has likely led to an increase in respiratory illnesses among children, NBC CT reported. But the doctor stressed that "social distancing and masking" were critically important during the pandemic.

The CDC defines RSV as "a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States."

According to the CDC, symptoms of RSV infection usually include: "runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing."

Read more at NBC CT here and WTNH News 8 here.