Yesterday, a mysterious new coronavirus-related illness hit the headlines, after doctors across the UK were sent an urgent alert about it.
The illness, which is yet to be named, is thought to affect children, and may be related to COVID-19.
Worryingly, the illness can cause several unpleasant symptoms, including abdominal pain and cardiac inflammation.
Now, Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins has urged parents to be ‘vigilant’ over the new coronavirus-related condition.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Atkins said: “The Chief Medical Office and NHS England are looking at this very carefully, but it demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is, and how precedented it is in its effects.
“The advice to parents, is if they’re worried about the recovery of their children then they must please seek medical help to ensure they’re being looked after by the NHS.”
Ms Atkins added that while the new illness is extremely rare, parents need to be vigilant.
She said: “I’m a Mum of a young child, we must all be watching our children very carefully through this virus, and if we’re worried about the recovery of our children, then we must seek medical help.”
The syndrome, which is yet to be named, can cause several unpleasant symptoms, including abdominal pain and cardiac inflammation, according to the report.
While some of the children with the syndrome have tested positive for COVID-19 and some appear to have had it in the past, some have not.
The extent of the issue remains unclear, although the report adds that 'very small numbers are likely to have been affected.'
The alert to doctors said: “The cases have in common overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki Disease with blood parameters consistent with severe COVID-19 in children.
“Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms have been a common feature as has cardiac inflammation.
“This has been observed in children with confirmed PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as children who are PCR negative. Serological evidence of possible preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection has also been observed.”
