New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a stark warning to parents who have children suffering from flu-like symptoms: Call your doctor immediately.
In a Tuesday tweet, de Blasio stressed that healthcare workers in the area have seen an uptick in young patients who are struggling with a “rare and dangerous inflammatory syndrome” that is believed to be related to the coronavirus.
“Since we put out our health alert, we’ve been getting more reports of cases of pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome related to COVID-19 in children,” he said. “This is a major concern. Take this seriously. If your child has a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain and vomiting CALL YOUR DOCTOR. If you don’t have a doctor, call 311.”
If your child has a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain and vomiting CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
If you don’t have a doctor, call 311.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) May 12, 2020
De Blasio’s public concern comes as 52 new cases of the coronavirus in children have been reported in the New York City area. There have been reported cases of the disease, which is being described as a pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, throughout the United States and in hot spots across Europe.
“We’re seeing something that’s very troubling,” de Blasio added at his daily press conference. “And we’re combining the efforts of healthcare professionals all over New York City to understand what it is and how to deal with it.”
Of the 52 children diagnosed with the syndrome in New York City, 25 have tested positive while 22 have antibodies for the virus. One child died last week.
“It’s sobering, it’s bluntly frightening,” de Blasio added. “I want to say to parents out there, if you’re hearing this information about pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome and it sounds scary, it does sound scary.”
