New York officials report over 100 children have become sick with an illness that could be connected with COVID infections. "Everybody who is the parent of a kid under 20 ought to be alert to the symptoms," said Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy at UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The subject was one of many Dr. Nielsen addressed during her weekly conversation with WBFO.
Nielsen alerted parents to watch for the following: "It's fever, rash and GI symptoms--abdominal pain primarily."
Of the 100 cases identified, 70 have been treated in intensive care.
"Then what happens is the kids go very quickly into shock," Nielsen said.
"So, it really is important If you have even two of those, you ought to have your child seen by a medical professional."
With the number of COVID-19 deaths now below 200, the state has made dramatic progress in cutting the mortality rate over the last month. It's good news, Nielsen says, but more is needed.
Nielsen encouraged residents to not succumb to "frustration." While she understands the desire to return to normalcy, Nielsen maintains the stay-at-home guidelines continue to "save lives."
