From hospital visits to test confusion, Sask. parents share stories of what happens when kids get COVID-19

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, kids have had to deal with a range of anxieties, such as having to social distance from friends, losing grandparents and adapting to online school. 

On top of that, they are also getting sick with COVID-19 — children under 12 are the only age group that still isn't eligible for vaccination.

On Friday, children 11 or younger accounted for one-third of the 300 new cases reported in Saskatchewan, according to the province.

While there has been a downward trend in new COVID-19 cases in the province over the past two weeks, Saskatchewan still has the highest rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths among all Canadian provinces over the past 14 days.

Despite taking measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands, some Saskatchewan parents have had to face the reality of seeing their child get sick with the illness.

Here are some of their stories.

Tara Oliver's husband and two children contracted COVID-19. 

Her six-year-old began throwing up in the middle of the night. The girl developed a fever and had a horrible cough. 

For two or three days, she couldn't stop throwing up, so Oliver had to take her to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where she was given medication and IV fluids. 

"That was stressful and scary," said Oliver.

The next day, Oliver's nine-year-old daughter also began showing symptoms, including vomiting and headaches, but Oliver said her older daughter's case wasn't as severe. 

The mother said the provincial government needs to do more to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

"It's frustrating that we've made it this far, and then they [the children] get sick," she said. 

She says she feels lucky none of her family members had to be admitted to the hospital, but she said the possibility is something she worries about constantly.