Saint Francis Sees Increase In Kids Hospitalized With COVID-19

Saint Francis said more kids are being admitted to the hospital for COVID-19. It comes as admissions at their hospital system overall have plateaued in recent weeks.

Saint Francis said in the month of August, its staff admitted 39 kids at their hospital for COVID-19. That is very close to the peak they saw back in January.

Pediatricians at Saint Francis said they are paying close attention to the data and expect that number to rise as the delta variant continues to spread in Oklahoma.

Right now, 10 children are in the hospital at Saint Francis being treated for COVID-19.

Pediatrician Doctor Travis Campbell said the virus is most dangerous to kids between 0-4 years old. Children that age are 10 times more likely to end up in the hospital than older kids.

They also are not eligible to be vaccinated like children 12 and older are.

Dr. Campbell recommends masking and social distancing for children, especially as the school year goes on.

Saint Francis has seen a six-times increase in pediatric hospitalizations from June to August.

"The delta variant is much more transmissible,” said Campbell. “Of course, in pediatrics, we're taking care of kids for the large majority are not eligible to get the COVID vaccine."

Admissions as a whole for adults though have plateaued at Saint Francis the past couple of weeks.

CEO Dr. Cliff Robertson said they've consistently been discharging more patients than admitting.