(New York) New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday expressed “grave concern” over an increase in cases of a syndrome affecting children that scientists believe is linked to the novel coronavirus.
Posted on May 10, 2020 at 12:34 am
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According to him, 38 cases of pediatric inflammation have been detected in New York, the American city most affected by the COVID-19 disease, and nine more cases are still under investigation.
Throughout New York state, 85 cases of the disease, similar to Kawasaki disease, are under investigation, Governor Andrew Cuomo added shortly after during his daily press briefing.
Three deaths linked to this syndrome have been recorded, including one in the American financial capital, and two other deaths are under study, he said.
One of the victims was five years old.
One of the state health officials added that the other two victims were a teenager and a child between 5 and 10 years old.
None of them had a pre-existing illness, the official added.
The symptoms are fever, rash, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
“What it does, basically, is it’s going to elicit a very intense and almost overwhelming response from the child’s immune system. And it hurts his body, ”explained Bill de Blasio.
PHOTO BRYAN R. SMITH, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio
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He added that all children with these symptoms would now be tested for COVID-19 as well as antibodies.
So far, 47% of confirmed cases have been declared positive for the new coronavirus, and 81% for its antibodies, which means that they have been infected with the virus since the start of the epidemic.
Governor Cuomo said at least 73 children in New York State have developed the disease, similar to Kawasaki disease.
First described in 1967 in Japan, Kawasaki disease primarily affects young children. Its origin is not precisely known and could combine infectious, genetic and immune factors.
Before the appearance of these cases, the disease COVID-19 was known to develop in severe forms in children only exceptionally.
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