RSV and COVID-19 Delta Variant Cases in Children Increases; Pediatric Hospitals Exceed Maximum Capacity

The respiratory syncytial virus or RSV infection has been one of the main concerns of the health authorities amidst the pandemic. The RSV cases surged along with the increase of the population who were diagnosed with the delta variant.

What Is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection?

RSV is a flulike condition that affects the respiratory system of people, and it frequently targets younger children as well as the senior community. According to The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RSV cases have been rampant since the late second quarter of the year, and rates have spiked in the early third quarter.

The cases of RSV recorded several flulike symptoms exhibited by the diagnosed population, such as sneezing, mild fever, and coughing. These symptoms are usually expected to be felt at fall season, but the abnormal rates of RSV increased this summer.

Texas Children's Hospital pediatric expert and Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative lead officer Dr. Heather Haq has recently compared the mutual increase of COVID-19 and RSV cases. According to a report by The New York Times, Haq said that the number of hospitalized children, teens, and infants has significantly spiked this season than the few and even zero cases of pediatric cases in the earlier surge of the pandemic. Haq added that the usual cases of the coronavirus among kids span from two weeks to 17 years of age.

RSV and Coronavirus Delta Variant in Children Impacts Pediatric Hospitals

Haq expressed her concern over the increasing numbers of COVID-19-related hospitalization, as the pediatric patients in the third quarter of the year have already exceeded winter-level volumes of patients diagnosed with RSV. The expert said that this might impact the medical equipment and staff headcount necessary to cater to the surge.

Texas has been proven to have an increase in the RSV cases, which began in the first week of June and peaked in mid-July. The full report of the state's RSV cases is published in the Texas Department of State Health Services. Along with Texas, the state of Florida also experiences a surge of respiratory-related cases that had been marginal, according to the state's records from the past years.

Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Louisiana, along with other pediatric institutes, has recorded a whopping 244% increase in RSV cases. CNN reports that the hospitals from the state are almost exceeding their full capacity due to the respiratory virus.

The cases of RSV in multiple states have been increasing along with the surge of the new delta variant cases in the United States. In the early third quarter of the year, The New York Times data recorded over 140% increase of the COVID-19 delta variant, with a corresponding 70% increase in hospitalization in just two weeks. The COVID-19 cases and low rates of vaccination in some states are some of the key factors that contribute to the escalation of RSV rates.

In reference to The New York Times report, Haq emphasized that massive COVID-19 outbreaks in schools will occur soon, and cases will be larger compared to the previous waves. She added that along with the return of the kids to school, the younger population who are not vaccinated could play a part in the spread of both the delta variant and the respiratory syncytial virus.

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