Hospitals across the country are postponing surgeries and creating extra bed space for children as they deal with a sharp surge of a highly contagious winter virus. Children, babies in particular, are being hit particularly hard by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this year with many ending up in Intensive Care Units or needing oxygen to help them breathe. Dr Sue Huang - a virologist who tracks flu-like illnesses - said since New Zealand opened our bubble to Australia there had been a sharp increase in the number of RSV hospital presentations. At Waikato Hospital two babies are in ICU with RSV, a DHB spokesman said. Last week 14 children and two adults had presented with RSV at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 06, 2021 20:48 UTC