Potent Children's Virus Results in Waiting List as Long as 24 Hours for Hospital Beds

04/13/2017 - 12h10

Private hospitals considered reference centers for the treatment of children have been operating at full capacity for two weeks in São Paulo.

The high demand for admissions for children in serious condition reached a peak on Tuesday, when the Sabará Children's Hospital had to close the doors to its pediatric internment unit due to a lack of available spaces for new patients.

Parents have reported waiting up to 24 hours for a hospital bed, and a sign advising the lack of places was put up at the hospital's entrance. Employees are instructing parents to look for places at other nearby hospitals.

Other facilities, like the São Camilo and Samaritano hospitals are also without spaces according to attendants.

The high demand is due to the spread of the syncytial respiratory virus, common at this time of year, which infects primarily infants up to six months of age.
According to Pediatrician Eiltan Berezin, the current variation of the virus is stronger than that of previous years.

"Up to 10% of infected children have come down with a more serious condition. Last year, the percentage was around 6%", she said.

The infection produces a strong cold-like condition, but, since it affects the lungs, it can develop into bronchiolitis when there is an accumulation of mucus in the bronchi and affect respiration.

Sabará hospital announced that admittance has returned to normal and that it has increased the number of physicians and space available.

Samaritano cited the increased demand and confirmed that no room was currently available. São Camilo also cited the increase in demand, but denied that there is a lack of spaces in their facilities.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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