New Zealand children falling ill in high numbers due to Covid ‘immunity debt’
by Tess McClure in Christchurch from Science | The Guardian on (#5KZRG)
Doctors say children haven't been exposed to range of bugs due to lockdowns, distancing and sanitiser and their immune systems are suffering
New Zealand hospitals are experiencing the payoff of immunity debt" created by Covid-19 lockdowns, with wards flooded by babies with a potentially-deadly respiratory virus, doctors have warned.
Wellington has 46 children currently hospitalised for respiratory illnesses including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. A number are infants, and many are on oxygen. Other hospitals are also experiencing a rise in cases that are straining their resources - with some delaying surgeries or converting playrooms into clinical space.
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