While children have been largely statistically unscathed by COVID-19, doctors are concerned that fear of the virus may be keeping parents from seeking medical help for kids with other illnesses.
Pediatricians across the country have noticed a drastic drop in emergency room visits, and some hospitals report that those who do come have more advanced symptoms than normal. “They’re needing much more resuscitation and care than they should,” said Dr.
Kevin Chan, chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s acute care committee. He practices at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where visits to the ER dropped by about two-thirds since the pandemic began.. “I personally have seen some very sick diabetics,” he said.