The Virginia Department of Health reported the fifth confirmed case of COVID-19-associated pediatric inflammatory disease, and the first case of the condition in the Shenandoah Valley.
The department’s website on Friday showed a new case of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children in the Shenandoah Central Health District, which includes Augusta County, Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Highland County, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Rockingham County, Staunton and Waynesboro.
Later in the day, the Virginia Department of Health released a statement with a few more details, including that the boy has recovered.
The exact location of the patient is unclear and will not be disclosed to protect the patient’s privacy. No other details, including the child’s age, were provided for the same reasons.
“This case was identified after the fact, based on new information available on this syndrome,” said Dr. Laura Kornegay, Director of the Shenandoah Central Health District. “The identification of this case adds to our scientific knowledge of the spectrum of COVID-19 related diseases.”
Authorities confirmed Virginia’s first case of MIS-C in the Fairfax Health District on May 19, saying at the time that the boy was recovering at home.
While children generally have not experienced severe cases of COVID-19, health officials have warned in the past two months about the new inflammatory disease related to the virus.
MIS-C, previously called Pediatric Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome, is a health condition associated with COVID-19. The CDC alerted doctors that the condition had been reported in at least 110 New York children in May, raising national awareness of the condition, which doctors have been investigating ever since.
Some children across the country have died.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the first reports of the syndrome came from the United Kingdom in late April.
MIS-C can cause problems with the child’s heart and other organs. According to the Centers for Disease Control, most children with MIS-C have a fever that lasts for several days and may show symptoms of irritability or decreased activity, unexplained abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, conjunctivitis , poor appetite, red or chapped lips, red or irregular tongue, or swollen hands and feet.
However, not all children show the same symptoms and you should call your doctor immediately if your child becomes ill with persistent fever and any of the above symptoms.
If your child shows emergency warning signs: difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure that does not go away, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or severe abdominal pain, go to the nearest emergency room. or call 911 right away.
State Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA, issued a letter with guidance on the syndrome to Virginia health care providers on May 15.
“I urge all local health care providers to immediately report any patient who meets these criteria to the local health department,” said Laura Kornegay, MD, director of the Shenandoah Central Health District. “Although we are in Recovery Phase Two, everyone should take steps to avoid exposure to COVID-19 by practicing physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and the use of cloth covers as appropriate.”
As more businesses reopen in Phase 2 and then Phase 3 next week, the health district is urging individuals and families to be vigilant about handwashing, physical distancing, and facial linings. .
Fabric face liners are not recommended for children under the age of 2, but are strongly recommended for anyone ages 3 and up. The Virginia mask mandate only requires them for children 10 and older, although companies and organizations may have much stricter policies.
With Virginia’s extended community, people of any age, race, and gender are at risk for infection, serious illness, and even death, says the health district.
Children are less likely than adults to develop COVID-19, and their illnesses are generally less severe, although they can spread the disease without showing symptoms.
The health department reported 624 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the state total to 60,570. The department reported a total of 1,700 confirmed or probable deaths from the disease.
Worldwide, millions of people became infected and the United States recorded the highest daily number of new cases on June 26, breaking a record previously set in April.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that go away in weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more serious illness and death.
Most people recover.
MIS-C cases in Virginia are reported on the VDH website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.
Associated Press contributed to this article.
