LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 10-year-old boy is critically ill and on a ventilator in Kentucky after contracting an inflammatory disease tied to the novel coronavirus, Gov. Andy Beshear said, calling it a reminder to "do our part" to curb the virus's transmission.
The case appears to be the first in Kentucky of an inflammatory syndrome growing increasingly prevalent among children infected with COVID-19, according to state public health commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.
Children with the syndrome, Stack said, "have an extensive inflammatory response in their body," as their immune systems become "overactive" in trying to fend off the virus.
Some children may first present with respiratory problems, while others may have gastrointestinal problems, Stack said.
"Once that starts, the inflammation goes out of control, and then it's the child's body overall, and they have a lot more problems," he said, adding that much about the syndrome is still unknown.
But there is growing concern nationally that children — once thought to be largely spared by the virus — are growing ill and dying of COVID-19 complications.
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Three children in New York have died after contracting the virus and developing the inflammatory syndrome.
Doctors say parents should look for fever as well as a combination of any of these symptoms: abdominal pain, confusion, diarrhea, red eyes, rash, swollen hands and feet, difficulty breathing and passing out. Sometimes the abdominal pain can be so severe it mimics appendicitis.
Beshear said Monday that even as the economy takes slow steps to reopen, it's essential to remember how dangerous COVID-19 can be, adding that "this virus takes people before they're supposed to go."
It's his goal, he said, to "always be treating this like it's real, to never think my kids are immune or I am either."
Kentucky saw 141 new cases Sunday and 105 new cases Monday, Beshear said, bringing the state's totals to 6,677 positive cases and 311 deaths.
The state has conducted 104,001 tests so far, Beshear said, adding that this week, there will be roughly 50 testing locations open across the commonwealth.
Monday marked the first day some businesses across Kentucky — financial services offices, racetracks and car dealerships, for example — could reopen, as well as the first day residents were urged to wear masks in public.
Full story: 10-year-old Kentucky child on ventilator due to COVID-19, Beshear says
"You don't want to be the cause of someone else contracting the illness, and maybe even dying," Beshear said, adding that he's seen good compliance. "All of us doing this is a way to make sure we protect one another."
In Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer announced 27 new cases, bringing the city's total to 1,675. Of those, 1,012 individuals have recovered and 119 have died.
Fischer also announced two Louisville Metro Police officers and one more Metro Corrections officer have tested positive, bringing the total number of positive cases among first responders to more than 40.
And, amid an outbreak of COVID-19 among jail staff, Fischer said 370 inmates have been tested — 207 of whom tested negative. The rest are pending, he said.
Across the Ohio River, Indiana has reported more than 24,000 total positive cases, with 1,411 deaths as of late Sunday night. The state has tested 146,688 people, with a roughly 16.8% positive rate.
In Indiana: Restaurant doors swing open, but dining rush starts out slow
Kentucky sees first federal inmate death from COVID-19
An inmate at Lexington's Federal Medical Center prison has died, officials said Monday, marking the state's first federal prisoner death due to coronavirus.
Juan Mata, 59, who tested positive for COVID-19 on April 30, died Monday, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
Mata was sentenced in the Western District of Texas to about 11 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He had been in the custody of the Lexington prison since 2014 and would have been eligible for release next year.
Three inmates at Green River Correctional Facility in Muhlenberg County have previously died.
Red Cross to hold blood drive, calls for African American donors
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the KFC Yum Center, Fischer said.
Donors are asked to make an appointment in advance at redcrossblood.org, with sponsor keyword KFCYUM. They are also required to wear a face covering or mask.
Fischer said there's a "critical need" for blood and platelet donors, particularly from donors with rare blood types.
He added that he's making a "special plea" for African American blood donors to help patients battling sickle cell disease.
"Without a readily available blood supply, sickle cell patients right now are hurting," Fischer said. "We are looking for all kinds of blood, but particularly if you're an African American and can donate blood to help those with sickle cell disease."
Read this: What to know about request to wear face masks in public
Norton Commons cafe closes after 10 years amid pandemic
The owners of Verbena Cafe, at 10639 Meeting St., have announced the restaurant is closing permanently after just under 10 years.
"In the midst of global crisis, we (like small businesses everywhere) are forced to make a very difficult decision," a post from the owners on their Facebook page said. "It is with heavy hearts and careful consideration that we have decided to permanently close Verbena Cafe."
Laurie Cortino and her son, Michael Cortino, opened the cafe in 2010. It temporarily closed after Beshear's restaurant shutdown order in March.
Reporters Andrew Wolfson, Mandy McLaren and Dahlia Ghabour contributed to this report. Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/darcyc.
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COVID-19 roundup: Critically ill Kentucky boy shows virus's danger to kids, Beshear says - Courier Journal
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