There are now 73 cases of such symptoms in children in this state, and the state health services are investigating the causes of the child’s death as in several other cases, said Governor Andrew Cuomo.
A five-year-old child has died in New York State from an inflammatory disease with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease, probably linked to Covid-19, the governor of New York State said on Friday. There are now 73 cases of such symptoms in children in this state, and the state health services are investigating the causes of the child’s death as in several other cases, said Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“
Every parent’s nightmare
“
The death, which occurred Thursday, comes as the epidemic has slowly receded since mid-April in New York State, which has long been its epicenter in the United States. The coronavirus has already infected more than 330,000 people and killed more than 20,000 – including 216 on Thursday – in this state of some 20 million inhabitants. For two weeks, several countries have reported cases of children affected by these symptoms similar to a rare condition, Kawasaki disease. The link with Covid-19 is not formally established, but scientists consider it likely. Described for the first time in 1967 in Japan, this disease mainly affects young children. Its origin is not precisely known and could combine infectious, genetic and immune factors.
Before the onset of these cases, Covid-19 disease was known to develop into severe forms in children only in exceptional circumstances. The disease, and its sometimes fatal acute respiratory syndromes, seemed to attack mainly the elderly and adults with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, overweight, heart failure or respiratory failure. But as the pandemic progresses, caregivers are discovering new peculiarities and complications related to the new coronavirus. “It would be really very painful” if the link with the Covid was confirmed, said Mr. Cuomo. “So many people consoled themselves (…) by thinking that children did not suffer from this virus”, “it is the nightmare of all parents”, he added.
Any reproduction prohibited—
