Coronavirus Report: May 18, 2020

By Marsha Mullings, MPH

 USA

1.4 million cases, 89,562 deaths

Florida

45,588 cases, 8,230 hospitalizations, 1,973 deaths

Broward

6,088 cases, 1,272 hospitalizations, 279 deaths

 Important to Know

♦ There is an increase in incidence of a rare coronavirus-related inflammatory disease in children – Most children who develop COVID-19 disease have few symptoms and suffer few complications from the illness but there have been reports of COVID-19 infected children with a rare inflammatory disease. As of May 14, 100 cases have been reported in 14 states. Three children have died from this complication. Some of the major symptoms include:

• Persistent fever, usually lasting four days or more
• Rash, on the back, legs and extremities
• Conjunctivitis also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish.
• Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms
• Skin peeling on hands and feet

♦ If your child develops any of these symptoms, please call their healthcare provider or 911

♦ Fear of hospitals are leading people to manage severe health crises at home – Fear of contracting COVID-19 is leading to a perilous situation where people are trying to manage severe health events at home so they may avoid hospitals. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) at the city of Fort Lauderdale has recorded a 30% drop in calls to their ambulatory service. Broward Health and other local hospital systems would like to assure the public that their hospitals have state-of-the art infections control systems and are equipped to manage viral agents such as coronavirus.  The hospitals and emergency services have urged the public to call 911 in the case of emergencies, which may include but are not limited to:

• Heart palpitations, sustained irregular heartbeats and fibrillations which may lead to a heart attack
• Cardiovascular events such as a stroke
• Extremely low blood pressure which can cause shock and eventual death
• Extremely high blood pressure which can lead to stroke
• Major falls and accidents

Do not try to manage acute health events at home. Please call 911 in the event of major health emergencies.

For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org