Akron Children's hospital says they're seeing a COVID-19 increase in kids

While many were hoping the pandemic was winding down, a startling reminder as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and the CEOs of the state's six largest children's hospitals say the number of kids being admitted for the virus is also going up.
Chief Medical Officer for Akron Children's Dr. Rob McGregor said, "THIS WEEK WAS THE 5TH HIGHEST NUMBER OF PATIENTS POSITIVE SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED."
Doctor McGregor says a lot of factors contribute to the uptick in COVID cases.
He says the Delta variant seems to get kids sicker, faster.
Children are going back to school, maskless in many cases, and there are more cases of other viruses out there like RSV, hitting children earlier in the season than normal
"WHAT GETS KIDS IN THE HOSPITAL ARE FEVER, RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, PROMINENT COUGH AND NEW COUGH."
Doctor McGregor says there are symptoms you can look for if you think your child could be sick.
The most telltale sign of covid is no sense of taste or smell.
"I THINK IF A CHILD IS EATING OR DRINKING WELL THEY CAN STAY AT HOME. IF THEY GET INTO ENOUGH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, THEY ARE NOT EATING OR DRINKING FORMULA, YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCtor."
Doctor McGregor says not to take your child to the ER unless they are having severe problems.
Akron Children's still faces staffing issues so they are hoping more people will apply for jobs.