LI Teen Among 3 NY Children Dead From Coronavirus-Linked Syndrome

LONG ISLAND — Three New York children, including a Long Island teenager, have died from a toxic shock-like syndrome health experts fear is linked to the new coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.

"We were laboring under the impression that young people were not affected by COVID-19," Cuomo said during his daily press briefing. "We're not so sure that's the fact anymore."

The dead included a teen from Suffolk County, according to Newsday, a 5-year-old boy from New York City, and a 7-year-old boy from Westchester County. The disease has infected at least 73 children since COVID-19 first hit the state, Cuomo said.

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Sick children show symptoms not traditionally linked with COVID-19, which is why the New York Health Department only launched an investigation into the mysterious syndrome last week, the governor said.

"It is very possible this has been going on for several weeks," Cuomo said.

Symptoms of the disease — similar to toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease — include prolonged fever, abdominal pain, skin color change and decreased amount or frequency in urine, according to New York health officials.

"Though rare, we urge parents to be vigilant," Cuomo tweeted.

The state is requiring hospitals report any possible cases of this new syndrome that they find. Most children with this syndrome either had an active COVID-19 infection, state officials said, or tested positive for antibodies of the virus.

Reporting by Kathleen Culliton, Patch Staff, was used.