Pediatric ICUs overflowing in Randstad hospitals due to RS virus

Pediatric intensive care units in Randstad hospitals are overflowing due to a large influx of young patients with the RS virus. Sick children are being transported to other hospitals in the country and some were even sent abroad, pediatrician Frederique Hofstede said to broadcaster NOS.

The capacity problems are mainly at university hospitals, as the UMC's are the only hospitals with ICU's for children. UMC Utrecht is postponing all non-urgent treatments in an effort to deal with the crowds, according to the broadcaster. And Rotterdam canceled its staff's leave days until the epidemic is over and is also using doctors working in the adult ICU in the children's department.

According to the broadcaster, many hospitals in the Randstad region admitted a large number of children with the RS virus over the past two weeks. The RS virus is especially prevalent in the Netherlands during the winter months. Adults with the virus will experience cold like symptoms. In children the symptoms are more intense. The virus attacks the respiratory tract and especially young children are susceptible to it.