Cape May Court House- New Jersey has 176,963 total COVID-19 positive cases and 13,741 deaths. Total positive cases of COVID-19 infection in Cape May County is now 909 including 79 deaths. With great sadness. we are announcing the passing of a 100-year-old female and a 68-year-old female both from Lower Township. “I would like to offer the friends and families of the two departed my deepest and most sincere condolences,” said Cape May County Freeholder Jeff Pierson.  Additionally, there are 5new out of county positive cases that are included in the Non-resident Active Cases listed below.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) Associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) 

In May 2020 the New Jersey Department of Health began receiving reports of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) that may be associated with COVID-19. In June 2020, following CDC reporting guidelines, MIS-C has been renamed Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) Associated with COVID-19. 

Similar cases of MIS have also been reported in other states and countries.  These cases have been found in children and young adults who had no other infectious cause identified. There is limited information currently available about the clinical presentation but children with this syndrome may require intensive care in a hospital. MIS is a rare condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS. However, we know that many children with MIS had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. MIS can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.  However, because it is life-threatening, it is important that parents know the signs and symptoms so they can get help right away. 

What are the signs and symptoms of MIS?

Most children have a fever (a temperature of 100.4⁰F or 38⁰C or greater) lasting several days, along with other symptoms. Other common symptoms may include:

Irritability or sluggishness

Abdominal pain without another explanation

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Rash

Conjunctivitis, or red or pink eyes

Enlarged lymph node (“gland”) on one side of the neck

Red cracked lips or red tongue that looks like a strawberry

•     Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red

When should I call my child’s doctor or seek emergency care? 

You should call your child’s doctor immediately if your child becomes ill and has had continued fever_. Your doctor will ask about any signs or symptoms your child has and use that information to recommend next steps. If your child is severely ill, you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately. 

Is MIS contagious? 

MIS is not contagious. However, it is possible that your child has another underlying infection that may be contagious. Until more is known about this condition, hospitals that are treating children with MIS are taking the same precautions they take for patients with COVID-19.  

 Diagnosis 

If a healthcare provider suspects that a child may have this syndrome, the child should be tested for the virus that causes COVID-19. This would involve a diagnostic test to see if the child is currently infected with the virus. They should also receive a serological test to see if the child has antibodies to the virus which would indicate that they had been exposed to the virus in the past or may have potentially been infected. 

Treatment 

There is no specific treatment for this syndrome. The child’s healthcare provider should provide treatment for the symptoms as appropriate.  Early treatment of patients suspected to have MIS may include treatment with immune globulin that is given through a vein (also known as IV, or intravenous) and steroids. Doctors may provide supportive care for symptoms (medicine and/or fluids to make your child feel better) and may use various medicines to treat inflammation. Most children who become ill will need to be treated in the hospital and some may need to be treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

Prevention 

Although it is not yet known if MIS is related to COVID-19, taking steps to prevent your child from being exposed to COVID-19 is important. Physical distancing from others, using face coverings, and practicing good hand hygiene, are the best ways to prevent COVID-19.  

Visit the New Jersey Department of Health https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtmlor covid19.nj.gov. If you have general questions about COVID-19, you may also call 2-1-1 or 1-800-962-1253.

Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying health conditions. Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit https://capemaycountynj.gov/ or Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.