子どもにも新型コロナウイルスの感染が広がる中、高度な小児医療を提供している都立病院では子どもの入院患者が増えていて、通常の診療を2割制限しています。



病院の医師は、これ以上感染が広がるとさらに診療を制限せざるをえないとして危機感を募らせています。

高度な小児医療を提供し、全国から患者が訪れる東京 府中市の「都立小児総合医療センター」では、新型コロナに感染したり、その疑いがある15歳以下の子どもの入院も受け入れています。

The number of inpatients was four on the 1st of this month, but as of the 27th, it has increased to 37, which is a record high, about 9 times, and a total of 421 children have been hospitalized this month alone.



According to the medical center, most of them are mild or asymptomatic like the 5th wave last summer, but this 6th wave means that the number of infected children in group life such as school is increasing compared to the 5th wave. ..



Among them, there are many so-called "social hospitalization" children who have to be hospitalized because children in orphanages are infected and cannot be cared for by their parents.



In addition, there are infants and preschool children who need milk and change diapers, so nurses from other clinical departments are also taking care of it.



Due to the increasing number of hospitalized children, the center currently limits regular medical care by about 20%.



Even in advanced pediatric medicine to treat serious illnesses such as the heart and lungs, postponed surgery and hospitalization are postponed.



Dr. Hiroho Horikoshi of the Department of Infectious Diseases said, "In the current situation, it is becoming necessary to further limit general medical care around next week. It is possible to provide medical care that can only be done here, such as special surgery. In our mission, what we absolutely want to avoid is the situation where the lives that can be saved cannot be saved. We want to bring the sixth wave toward convergence as soon as possible and return to an environment where we can concentrate on the original medical care. " I did.

Confirmation of infection under 10 years old 2.2 times the 5th wave last August 1 month

Infection to children is widespread in Tokyo, and the number and proportion of children under the age of 10 who have been confirmed to be infected exceeds the fifth wave.



Of the people who were confirmed to be infected by the 28th of this month in Tokyo, more than 15,000 were under the age of 10, which is 2.2 times that of August 1st last year in the 5th wave.



The proportion of children under the age of 10 among those confirmed to be infected was 10.3% by the 28th of this month, compared to 5.4% in August last year, almost doubling.



According to the capital, there are a number of cases of infection in groups such as schools due to the strong infectivity of the Omicron strain.

How nurses respond to children

This is a video taken by a doctor at the "Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center".



A nurse is showing a picture-story show to a hospitalized child through the glass in the hospital room.



The voice is heard using a microphone that communicates with the room.



Baby diapers and milk are changed by nurses wearing protective equipment such as aprons and gloves.



After milk, we take the same measures as a normal baby, such as gently tapping the back to get belching.