OTTAWA - Some elective surgeries are being cancelled at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario because of a respiratory virus affecting children.
In the past week, the Ottawa hospital has seen a 12 per cent rise in kids visiting the ER with the virus (syncytial).
The hospital says the increase has created longer wait times, forcing some elective surgeries to be placed on hold.
The symptoms are similar to a cold, but may also include coughing for up to three weeks, noisy breathing and a low-grade fever.
In most young children, mild symptoms can be treated at home, but in some, it may develop into a severe infection in the lungs.
The hospital is also adding some extra beds and urging parents to limit ER visits to emergency cases to help reduce wait times.
