South Carolina health officials say the state has confirmed its first cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, which is associated with COVID-19.
Health officials say MIS-C is a rare health condition that occurs in some children and teenagers who contract COVID-19 or come in contact with someone infected with the virus.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says both children are under the age of 10. One is from the Midlands region, and one is from the PeeDee region.
“We continue to see more and more young people, especially those under 20, contracting and spreading COVID-19, and we know MIS-C is a threat to our youngest South Carolinians,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “MIS-C is a serious health complication linked to COVID-19 and is all the more reason why we must stop the spread of this virus. Anyone and everyone is susceptible to COVID-19 as well as additional health risks associated with it, which is why all of us must stop the virus by wearing a mask and stay six feet away from others. These simple actions are how we protect ourselves and others, including our children.”
The first reports of this syndrome came from the United Kingdom in late April. Cases in the United States were first reported in New York City in early May.