DES MOINES, Iowa — Blank Children’s Hospital’s emergency room has seen record high visits of children with winter illnesses this week.

Dr. Amy Groen, an Emergency Room Physician at Blank Children’s Hospital, said that on average Blank has 72 patients a day visit the emergency room and that this past week the number of visits a day has topped 130.

“We’re now hitting record levels in our ER,” Dr. Groen said. “We’ve had days where we’re double our normal census just in the amount of kids that are checking in and trying to get everybody where they need to be and taking care of. It’s very, there’s so much viral illness going around right now.”

Dr. Groen said many kids are sick with the Influenza A variant of the flu.

“I would say our biggest players, Influenza A right now, we always have a high level of just the common cold. RSV is still here. We’re still seeing some norovirus, and then we’re having a smattering of other winter viruses that we see,” Dr. Groen said.

Dr. Groen recommends getting a flu shot to protect yourself and your children as well as following good hygiene practices.

“If at any inkling that you’re feeling ill, try and stay away from other people. Protect your young ones. Protect the immunocompromised. Wash your hands. Mask when you’re not feeling well. Those type of normal precautions. Don’t send your kid to school when they’re sick.” Dr. Groen said.

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