The newest COVID-19 wave is on the rise and expected to peak in July, according to National Taiwan University Hospital pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Huang Li-min (黃立民) in an interview on Monday. Huang said Respiratory Systolic Virus (RSV), mycoplasma, and enterovirus cases are also peaking simultaneously, increasing the number of children needing medical care.
RSV, a common virus that results in respiratory symptoms, and mycoplasma, a smaller bacteria that requires alternate antibiotics for treatment, both mainly infect children but can be found in adult cases. The elderly are at a higher risk of severe illness if exposed to either pathogen.
Last week, the CDC announced 623 new moderate to severe cases and 38 deaths, double the previous week’s cases. As for when this multiple viral and bacterial infection epidemic will slow down, Huang said that he hopes for a downward trend after its peak in July.