Viruses are landing kids in the ICU this summer, but it's not all COVID-19 TODAY 8 hrs ago Erika Edwards An unseasonal surge of winter viruses is landing children in the hospital in the middle of summer. The illnesses include severe colds, croup, which causes a severe cough, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. The rise worries already overwhelmed doctors as the school year approaches. Not only do they expect more spread of the winter viruses; they also anticipate a rise in COVID-19 cases among younger students. Virtually all elementary school-age children — that is, those younger than 12 — are unvaccinated, and some school districts have said they will not require masks in classrooms, regardless of vaccination status.