RI's First Case Of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island has its first diagnosed case of a syndrome that has been known to create inflammation and redness in a small amount of children who contract the coronavirus.

Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, the director of the RI Department of Health, confirmed the first known case of multisystem inflammory syndrome in children during Gov. Gina Raimondo's press conference on Friday. She said the patient — a school-age girl — has tested positive for the coronavirus, and is in the hospital, but is not in intensive care and has a good prognosis.

"While this is rare, it was not unexpected," Alexander-Scott said of the positive case, "as cases have been found in other states."

The Centers For Disease Control describes MIS-C as "is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired."

Dr. Alexander-Scott said that while COVID-19 is highly contagious, "a child cannot catch multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children from another child."

While Gov. Raimondo delayed her announcement of when the state will move into phase 3 of its reopening next week until at least Monday due to concerns about rising coronavirus cases nationwide, she said the girl's MIS-C diagnosis was not a factor in the "pause." She added that it will not alter her plans for allowing no-contact and low-contact youth sports to proceed with competitions when phase 3 begins.

"We shared it with you," Raimondo said. "It just happened. First, I would say you should be relieved that we're being fully transparent. Second, as (Dr. Alexander-Scott) said, it wasn't a surprise. It was a single person. Parents should just do what they've been doing — be careful for their kids.

"I can speak, as a parent of teenagers, that it's hard to get your kids to wear masks. So you have to be on them to do it. It's hard to get your kids to wash their hands. So, with everything, be vigilant with your children. Keep them out of crowds. Keep them home if they're sick. Get them their (wellness) visits. Get them to wash their hands, and wear their masks. And, if they're going to play sports, they have to follow the rules."

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