NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The New York State Department of Health issued an advisory to healthcare providers on Wednesday over an inflammatory disease that has affected at least 64 children in New York state that is "likely" linked to COVID-19.
"Thankfully most children with COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms, but in some, a dangerous inflammatory syndrome can develop," New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said. "While we continue to reduce cases through social distancing, discoveries like this remind us we are still in the middle of our response to this deadly pandemic."
The health advisory was set to inform healthcare providers of the condition and provide guidance for testing and reporting for those under 21 years of age.
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A preliminary New York State Department of Health survey identified 64 cases of children "presenting with (the) new pediatric multi-symptom inflammatory syndrome," NBC New York reported. Sources told the outlet Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be issuing an advisory about the syndrome soon.
At least 15 children in New York City were hospitalized with the syndrome — which has "features of Kawasaki disease and toxic shock" — between April 17 and May 1, the outlet reported. Six of the children tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies and four tested positive for COVID-19, according to the outlet.
"What we're seeing is children who have had high fever — over 102 or 103 — for three to four days," said Dr. Steven Kernie, professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and chief of Critical Care Medicine at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.
"They tend to have a rash anywhere on their body, including the palms of their hands and soles of their feet. They may have abdominal distress. Their eyes may be very red. They look ill," he added.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday tweeted that parents should monitor their children's symptoms if they are sick and contact their doctor if certain systems persist.
"If your child is experiencing a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain or vomiting, call your doctor right away. @nycHealthy has instructed all New York City health care providers to report any patients under 21 years old with these symptoms IMMEDIATELY," he wrote.
"We haven't seen any fatalities yet, but we are very concerned by what we're seeing," he added. "We're learning more every day about how COVID-19 affects the body. This is a ferocious disease."
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