By Annette Pinder

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) and Kaleida Health continue to call attention to the surge in pediatric respiratory illnesses, based on the number of patients being seen at John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (OCH) Emergency Department for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza. The local surge is consistent with what is being seen nationally, as pediatric hospital beds fill. The surge is resulting in extended wait times at emergency departments and increasing pressure on pediatricians’ offices, urgent care centers, and ambulance services.

“Our emergency department is seeing a steady stream of children with acute respiratory symptoms,” said Dr. Stephen Turkovich, President of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. “We are seeing approximately 190 patients per day in our emergency department – many of whom are experiencing breathing problems due to RSV and the flu, with the youngest patients experiencing the most severe symptoms,” said Dr. Turkevich. Since September 1, 2022, the number of patients admitted with RSV was more than double that of those admitted with RSV during the entire 2019-2020 respiratory season. More than 1,500 children have tested positive for RSV in the OCH Emergency Department and increasing numbers of children are also being hospitalized for flu.

Parents and caregivers should consult with their child’s primary care doctor or pediatrician as a first course of action for a sick child. Hospital emergency departments are best reserved for those with life-threatening or acute medical conditions that require immediate and advanced medical intervention.

“The widespread use of masks as an infection prevention tool reduced RSV and flu levels during the past two winter seasons,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Without those preventive measures, these illnesses are back, and disproportionately affecting our community’s youngest residents. These are common viruses, but they can be uncommonly severe for infants and young children. It’s incumbent on each of us to take steps to maintain our own health and protect vulnerable people in our community.”

ECDOH and OCH are echoing the messages shared by the New York State Department of Health on protecting against the “triple threat” of respiratory illnesses this winter season: RSV, flu and COVID-19. Accordingly, they offer some important advice.

  • Stay up to date with flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Stay home from school, work, daycare, and other activities if you are sick.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you have symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
  • Masking indoors and social distancing may be important for those who live with higher risk individuals, including infants, older adults, pregnant people, pre-term babies, or those with underlying health conditions.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for least 20 seconds to protect yourself from germs and avoid spreading them to others.
  • Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Instead, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Teach and remind children to do this, too.
  • Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to use when soap and water are not available.