spike in kids testing and bogging down triage for the seriously ill. >> we are seeing a lot of patients present with mild respiratory symptoms, cough, congestion, fever. known covid exposures and i think a lot of them are seeking testing. >> reporter: the sickest kids those needing hospitalization are having a tough time breathing. >> so they're getting a lot of respiratory symptoms, as we have been expecting. pneumonias, needing respiratory support to help them breathe better. >> reporter: viral spread expected to intensify in the weeks ahead and even if the omicron variant isn't as severe. >> the problem is with so many children and adults infected even if the percent hospitalization rate is lower, we're still -- we could see more children hospitalized over a very short period of time. so that certainly puts a strain