Coronavirus-related syndrome kills three children in less than a week

Three children have died in less than a week of a “coronavirus-related Kawasaki-like inflammatory disease.”

The syndrome, described by authorities as “truly disturbing,” reflects Kawasaki disease, which causes prolonged fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, said two children who had coronaviruses died from the disease. Three children have now succumbed altogether alone in New York City after a five-year-old boy became seriously ill.

Speaking today at a press conference in Manhattan, New York, Governor Cuomo said: “This is the last thing we need right now, with all that is happening, with all the anxiety that we have, now for parents to have to worry about whether your child was infected or not.

“One of the few rays of good news was that the youth were unaffected. We are no longer so sure that is the fact.”

More than 70 children are said to have been infected with the disease in New York alone.

Now, Governor Cuomo said authorities are making addressing it the “priority.”

The disease, similar to toxic shock syndrome, is understood to also cause inflammation of the blood vessels in children under the age of five, including infants and young children.

In some cases, it can lead to heart disease and additional complications.

Scientists are still trying to determine if the syndrome is related to the new coronavirus because not all children with it have tested positive for the virus.

Cuomo said the New York health department, which issued a notice to healthcare providers on Wednesday about so-called pediatric multisystemic inflammatory syndrome, was reviewing 73 cases with children showing similar symptoms across the state.

“Although rare, we are looking at some cases where children affected with the COVID virus can get sick with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome that literally causes inflammation in their blood vessels,” said the governor.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Tuesday: “If your child has a fever, a rash, abdominal pain or persistent vomiting, call his doctor immediately.”

He also said that NYC Healthy has instructed all health care providers to inform patients under the age of 21 with symptoms.

Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood condition, usually causing a high temperature that lasts for five days or more.

It is always treated in the hospital.