DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Public health officials on Monday reported two cases in Iowa of a new inflammatory disease in children associated with coronavirus infections.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati said the state learned of two potential cases Friday in children in eastern Iowa. They are stable and state officials are working with local officials to learn more, she said.
The condition was highlighted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week as a newly identified inflammatory syndrome in children. The agency recommended doctors and clinics report any patient with the illness to local and state officials to enhance knowledge of risk factors and other information.
“This is an example of a place where we need to learn more,” Pedati said in announcing that doctors are now required to report the condition to officials in Iowa. She spoke at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ daily press conference about the coronavirus.
Iowa public health data released Monday indicates that the rate of coronavirus deaths have slowed to 19 in the last three days after surging last week. The state has 355 deaths reported and 14,955 known positive cases. New positive cases remained fairly consistent in recent days, averaging around 250 cases a day.
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