"Iowa's Blank Children's Hospital Reaches Capacity Due to Surge in Child Respiratory Cases"
Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, is facing a shortage of beds due to a surge in hospitalizations of children with respiratory issues, including flu, RSV, and other illnesses. The CDC reports an increase in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases among children under four years old compared to last year. Doctor Joel Waddell attributes the severity of cases to reduced immune system exposure during COVID-19 quarantine and advises ensuring children's vaccinations are up-to-date while keeping sick children at home.