Pediatric Hospitals Overwhelmed by Surge in RSV Cases

Cook Children's hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, is at full capacity as a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases and other respiratory illnesses overwhelms pediatric beds in the region. Over 97% of pediatric beds in North Texas are occupied, with hospitals treating hundreds of children daily for symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fevers. Cook Children's emergency department is seeing around 500 patients a day, leading to overcrowding and long wait times. Nearby Children's Health in Dallas reported the highest RSV case count this year, with a 31% increase from the previous week. Medical providers are urging patients to seek care from their pediatricians first, as wait times in emergency departments can be up to 10 hours.