RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed five cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 were identified in metro-Richmond.
Those health districts include Chickahominy, Chesterfield, and Richmond/Henrico.
“Our heartfelt concerns are with these children and their families,” Dr. Tom Franck, Chickahominy Health District director, said. “These cases serve as an important reminder that COVID-19 can affect people of all ages. Even as our vaccination campaign continues to reach more and more people, we cannot let our guard down and we must continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of this infection.”
MIS-C is a relatively new health condition that is associated with COVID-19, according to the health department.
"MIS-C causes inflammation of one or more organ systems including the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, brain and/or skin. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have improved with medical care," a health department spokesperson wrote in an email. "The increase in cases of MIS-C coincides with the surge in cases of COVID-19 in the metro area."
Eighteen cases have been reported statewide, so far.