Ottawa parent describes stressful time with COVID, RSV
It’s been a stressful time for father of two, Furqan Mahmood.
“Our household had COVID a month ago,” he said.
First COVID-19, now RSV hitting his household of four, which includes two young kids.
“It becomes more depressing and you feel anxiety because you’re not getting this medicine,” said Mahmood.
His 11-month-old baby and five-year-old are still recovering from being sick. Mahmood says he spent hours scouring Ottawa pharmacies for fever reducing medication, while trying to avoid going to the emergency room at CHEO.
“The wait time at CHEO that I have experienced with my daughter, who is a few months old and my son, the wait time was approximately 14 hours,” he said.
Paediatric hospitals across Ontario are dealing with an unprecedented surge of sick children, including CHEO, which opened a second paediatric ICU to keep up with the demand.
Meanwhile, Ontario Health is directing general hospitals to accept children 14 and older, while health officials and the premier are urging people to wear a mask.
“We need to mask,” said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical officer of Health and CEO of Eastern Ontario Health Unit. “I strongly recommend masking in all indoor settings and this for the benefit of preventing transmission, to the vulnerable in addition to vaccinations for COVID and for flu.”
Mahmood is also hoping more people choose to mask up to prevent the further spread of illness in Ottawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.