The Health Secretary says he is 'very worried' about reports of a potential coronavirus-related condition among children.
Matt Hancock was quizzed on the matter at the Government's daily press conference after an alert was circulated among GPs about a new illness emerging among youngsters.
According to the Health Service Journal, the alert sent to doctors says that in recent weeks 'there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multisystem inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK'.
It adds: “There is a growing concern that a [covid-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases.”
When asked about the reports, Mr Hancock said he was 'very worried about it'.
"We are very worried about the latter and we are looking into closely," the minister said.
His government advisors said they have been made aware of the reports, and that they are looking into it as "a matter of urgency".
"We have become aware in the last few days of reports of severe illness in children which might be a Kawasaki-like disease,” Prof Stephen Powis, NHS England's medical director, said.
"Kawasaki diseases are a very rare inflammatory condition which occurs in children. The cause is not often known; it can be related to a number of things."
He added: "Both Chris (Whitty) and I are aware of that, and we have asked our experts, I have asked the National Clinical Director for Children and Young People to look into this as a matter of urgency.”
He said Public Health England was also looking into it, adding: “We’re not sure at the moment – it is really too early to say whether there is a link.”
He says that it is very rare but Prof Powis urged parents who are worried about a child who is sick and not recovering to seek medical help.
Prof Powis added: "Our advice to parents is... if you are worried about a child becoming sick and not recovering, contact 111 or in an emergency call 999.
"The NHS emergency services are there for sick children."
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