100 NYC Children Now Have Coronavirus-Related Syndrome, As Reported Cases Increase Worldwide

TOPLINE

Cases of a mysterious, coronavirus-linked syndrome seen in children have spiked in New York City overnight, bringing the total to 100 children in the five boroughs who have been identified with the illness that has already killed three children statewide, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

KEY FACTS

KEY BACKGROUND

Early data on U.S. coronavirus cases showed children appeared to be far less likely to develop complications from coronavirus infections than adults. At a press conference Wednesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that 102 children in the state had been identified as having the syndrome, and said the condition identified in children “does not present as a normal [coronavirus] case” and may not have been diagnosed as one. Of the 100 patients identified in New York City on Thursday, fewer than half reportedly suffered from shortness of breath, which has been flagged as one of coronavirus’ telltale symptoms. Cuomo also said that symptoms in children might not appear for weeks after a child is exposed to the virus, calling it “truly disturbing.” Reported symptoms include a high, long-lasting fever, swelling, inflammation like red eyes and tongue, cracked lips and rashes.

FURTHER READING

‘Every Parent’s Nightmare:’ Cases of NYC Kids With Severe COVID Syndrome Spike 22% Overnight (NBC New York)

100 Children in N.Y.C. Have Rare Syndrome Tied to Virus (New York Times)

Expect more cases of strange coronavirus syndrome in kids, doctors warn (CNN)

Coronavirus: Children affected by rare Kawasaki-like disease (BBC)

Cuomo: 102 New York Children Have Inflammatory Disease Possibly Linked To Coronavirus, A ‘Parent’s Worst Nightmare’ (Forbes)

Mysterious Illness That Could Be Linked To Coronavirus Puts 15 New York City Children In Hospital (Forbes)

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