Cases of RSV Up Four-Fold in Santa Barbara
Virus Arrived Two Months Ahead of Schedule
Nationwide, RSV arrived two months ahead of schedule, and likewise, Santa Barbara has increasing numbers of cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial (pronounced sync-SIH-shuhl) virus compared to last year. A survey of hospitals showed that Santa Barbara County had more than 400 cases this season, and for Cottage Health, their patients with RSV are up four-fold over this time last year.
At Cottage, 259 positive RSV cases were treated this October and November, compared to 61 RSV cases during the same months last year, said Dr. Jenna Holmen, who is a specialist in pediatric infectious disease at Cottage. Currently, Cottage holds 30 patients diagnosed with RSV; among them are six adults and seven children and babies in the hospitals’ intensive care units. Cottage maintains eight pediatric ICU beds, as well as 22 neonatal ICU beds, with the ability to add more if needed.
In the central area of the county, the first RSV patient entered Lompoc Valley Medical Center in November, and so far the trend has been more adult patients than children — 4 and 2, respectively — said Chief Nursing Officer Yvette Cope. None are currently in Lompoc’s ICU.
