Record-breaking numbers of people are being treated at Christchurch Hospital, including a spike in children with the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus. The hospital's emergency department experienced a "massive increase" in patients with up to 70 more a day than expected. Yesterday a Starship Children's Hospital spokesperson confirmed 12 children were in its paediatric intensive care unit with RSV. Photo: SuppliedCDHB chief executive officer Peter Bramley said "record-breaking numbers" of people were assessed and treated" over the weekend. Despite a winter surge that's swamped hospitals, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isn't at all new to New Zealand.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 12, 2021 22:07 UTC