US Sees Uptick in RSV Cases, Hospitals Overwhelmed
Children's hospitals across the US are reportedly seeing a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases that are straining their capacity, with some building overflow tents to house more beds.
Facts
- Children's hospitals across the US are reportedly seeing a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases that are straining their capacity, with some building overflow tents to house more beds.
- Hospitalizations for respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza are surging across the country, with children under five — especially newborns and infants — the most at risk. The surge comes amid a nationwide shortage of antivirals and antibiotics.
- A Los Angeles hospital nurse said they've already faced lingering staff shortages in the wake of COVID. She estimates that respiratory illnesses will make up 70% of admissions this year, compared to 50-60% in the past.
- Meanwhile, RSV hospitalizations for newborns are seven times higher than in 2018 and more than 75% of pediatric hospital beds were full by November.
- Children admitted for mental health issues have also reportedly played a role in bed shortages. Meanwhile, some speculate that the uptick in children's RSV is due to limited exposure to the virus from isolation during the COVID pandemic.
- Though public health officials warn of a "tripledemic" with rising cases of RSV, influenza, and COVID, rates of severe RSV are reportedly slowing, as hospitalizations of patients under 18 declined by a third the week ending Nov. 19. The uptick in other respiratory viruses, however, is helping retain high admissions rates.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Guardian, EU News, and Bloomberg.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Mother Jones. RSV is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable young Americans, which is why officials have sounded the alarm on this surge in cases. With children and teachers calling out sick from school and hospitalizations on the rise, it's essential to follow the steps learned during the pandemic: isolating, masking, and vaccinating.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by PJ Media. The "tripledemic" is the public health establishment's newest slogan to scare Americans. This, of course, is to encourage people to get vaccinated for other respiratory illnesses like COVID, which is virtually no risk to children. Lockdowns, not the unvaccinated, are what delayed children's natural contact with viruses like RSV, which is why a surge in cases is occurring at an abnormal rate.
