A coronavirus-related illness in children, seen in many states, countries and in over 100 young people in New York City, has now reached Virginia.
Virginia on Tuesday reported its first case of the illness now known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed has a link to COVID-19.
“The child was hospitalized on May 5 and has since been discharged and is recovering at home,” Virginia officials said Tuesday.
The child’s age and gender were not released.
Symptoms of MIS-C include irritability or decreased activity, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite, red or cracked lips, red or bumpy tongue, swollen hands and feet.
“I urge all health care providers in Virginia to immediately report any patient who meets these criteria to the local health department by the most rapid means,” said Virginia Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver. “All Virginians should take steps to avoid exposure to COVID-19 by practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing cloth face coverings if appropriate.”
