CHEO says local non-COVID viral infections skyrocketing in kids during reopening

By CityNews Ottawa

CHEO'S emergency department is treating an abnormally high number of non-COVID-19 infections in kids from across the region.

Officials at the hospital say the problem is compounded by the typical amount of summer time accidents and a surge in demand for mental health care.

CHEO Chief of Staff Dr. Lindy Samson says, as the city continues to follow the province's reopening guidelines, families are spending a lot more time outdoors interacting after so many months of isolation.

“[Typically] we would see 250 to 300 children a day, coming through with viral symptoms, and now, between our emergency department and the Brewer COVID-19 Assessment Centre, we're seeing about 500 children a day with viral symptoms.”

Dr. Samson urges parents and kids to keep following physical distancing rules, along with a rigorous hand washing routines in order to keep non-COVID infections down.

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