What could the COVID-19 Delta Variant mean for your July 4th weekend – KSN-TV

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Several area health officials say they have been seeing more sick children than normal for this time of year, and they believe a big part is because many of them are too young for the COVID-19 vaccine.

You dont want to worry if you child is one of the ones who has a severe reaction to getting COVID, said Sedgwick County Health Director, Adrienne Byrne. Thats another reason why its important for people to get vaccinated, is because some people dont have a choice.

With the July 4th weekend here, Sedgwick County health officer Dr. Garold Minns and others are worried about the spread of the new COVID-19 Delta Variant, It appears to be more likely to be transmitted between people and it appears to cause more severe disease. It has gradually emerged as becoming one of the more dominant strains were seeing.

Dr. Amy Seery with Ascension Via Christi says the hospital is seeing other contagious viruses among children, but its hard to tell what it is if parents dont have their kids tested.

Dr. Seery explained, Unfortunately without testing, we cant tell the difference between if its COVID-19, regular old school Coronavirus, Rhinovirus, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, also known as RSV. Were seeing a very offseason spike of [RSV].

This rise in cases of RSV, plus the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is causing problems for busy hospitals, In terms of an outpatient setting, were seeing lots and lots of kids with viral UI-type symptoms, added Dr. Seery.

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What could the COVID-19 Delta Variant mean for your July 4th weekend - KSN-TV