4 you think that i don't know how we could do this again, and then we keep doing it again. >> reporter: as texas children's readies for a fourth coronavirus wave, already its er is seeing a spike in kids suffering mild symptoms. their parents seeking testing, 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, et cetera, that are really i think -- a lot of them are really seeking testing. >> reporter: like previous waves, the sickest kids -- those needing hospitalization -- are having a tough time breathing. >> so, they are getting a lot of respiratory symptoms as we have been expecting. um, 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 that, with so