It’s with great sadness and sorrow that we report the death of a Northern Virginia child. According to a statement by the state health officials, the child succumbed to a COVID-19 related inflammatory syndrome.
The child aged between 10-to-19 years lived in Prince William County’s Prince William District. Reports indicate that there are over 5526 cases of this rare but severe condition. The illness is referred to as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Out of the reported cases, only 48 have died.
Here’s the breakdown of the rare condition’s reported cases:
- According to the Virginia health data, the state has reported 11 cases
- U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that Maryland has between 100 and 149 cases.
- Prince William District has registered between 25 and 49 cases.
There are similarities between the rare condition and the Kawasaki disease and can result in heart, kidney, lungs, and other organ health issues. The Health Department indicated that they were not sure about the cause of the problem. Parents have been asked to pay attention to their children and rush them to the hospital if they develop the following symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Lightheadedness
- Vomiting
- Bloodshot eyes
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
MIS-C—a condition associated with COVID-19 was previously known as Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. It was first reported in the United Kingdom in late April 2020. The first case of this illness was reported in New York City in early May 2020. During this time, Dr. Oliver provided health guidelines regarding the syndrome in his clinician letter on 15 May 2020. He urged all the healthcare providers in Virginia to issue instant reports on any cases related to the syndrome.
“We are devastated by this sad news, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of this child,” Virginia Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver said in a statement.
Further, he asked Virginians to note that COVID-19 continues to result in more illnesses and hospitalizations across the U.S. He encouraged all Virginians to stay vigilant and protect themselves and their families. Besides, we are approaching the festive season when traveling and gathering for holidays is rampant. So it’s essential to take the necessary steps to stay safe. Moreover, Virginians were advised to get vaccinated, maintain social distancing, wash hands, wear face masks, and avoid gatherings. Fortunately, eligible individuals can access free vaccines at various locations of the commonwealth.
Parents should seek immediate medical care for their children if they experience any MIS-C warning signs, including:
- Breathing difficulties,
- Frequent chest pains
- Severe abdominal pain,
- Confusion
- Inability to wake or stay up
- Blue colored skin
While the CDC issued health guidelines about the syndrome on 14 May 2020, there’s no clarity on how frequently children are likely to experience these symptoms. However, you can visit the CDC website to learn more about the symptoms of this syndrome.
Also Read: Omicron: The New Deadly Coronavirus Variant
