New York State Investigates COVID-Related Illness in Children, Proposes "Americans First Law"

The New York State government is taking action in response to emerging cases of a COVID-related illness in children, which have already claimed the lives of three young New Yorkers. The state is investigating 85 reported cases, where children, predominantly school-aged, are experiencing symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease or a toxic shock-like syndrome possibly due to COVID-19. In an effort to contain the spread of the illness, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced several measures, including an Executive Order mandating all nursing home staff be tested for COVID-19 twice per week and a proposal for the "Americans First Law," which would deny government funding to corporations that do not rehire the same number of employees before the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

• The New York State Department of Health is investigating 85 reported cases of a COVID-related illness in children, which have resulted in the deaths of three young New Yorkers.
• The illness presents symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease or a toxic shock-like syndrome possibly due to COVID-19.
• Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed the "Americans First Law," which states that a corporation cannot receive government funding if it does not rehire the same number of employees pre-pandemic.
• An Executive Order has been issued mandating all nursing home staff be tested for COVID-19 twice per week and reporting any positive test results to the State Department of Health by the next day.
• Hospitals cannot discharge a patient to a nursing home unless that patient tests negative for COVID-19.
• Nursing home and adult care facility administrators must submit a plan on how they will accomplish testing and a certificate of compliance with the Executive Order to the State Department of Health by Friday, May 15th.
• Failure to comply with the Executive Order may result in the suspension or revocation of an operating certificate or a daily penalty of $2,000.
• The New York State Department of Health and Human Services is distributing the antiviral treatment Remdesivir to help patients infected with COVID-19 recover more quickly.

Statistics:

• 85 reported cases of a COVID-related illness in children are currently under investigation in New York State.
• 3 young New Yorkers have died from the illness.
• 2,273 additional coronavirus cases have been confirmed in New York State, bringing the statewide total to 335,395.
• 47 counties have reported new cases.
• 2,900 people in 15 hospitals will receive the Remdesivir treatment.
• An additional 500 patients, including children, will receive the Remdesivir treatment at other hospitals in the coming weeks.

Sources:

• Governor of New York, Albany
• New York State Department of Health and Human Services