New York: Despite tall claims by researchers, including comments from Tesla CEO Elon Musk that children are safe from new coronavirus, a 12-year-old girl is fighting for her life at an Atlanta hospital after being tested COVID-19 positive.
Emma has not travelled recently and had no pre-existing conditions, reports CNN.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite Hospital confirmed that a current patient tested positive for Covid-19.
"The patient remains in isolation, and we have consistently used appropriate precautions. Additional details will not be released due to patient privacy laws," a hospital spokesperson was quoted as saying.
In China, one child, a 14-year-old boy, died of COVID-19, according to an upcoming study in the journal Pediatrics. Nearly 6 per cent of children's cases were severe, compared with 18.5 per cent of adults experiencing severe symptoms.
Several researchers have claimed that children are at low or no risk of contracting new coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned some children develop "severe" or "critical" disease from coronavirus and parents need to prepare their kids to guard against COVID-19.
Musk had tweeted: "Kids are essentially immune, but elderly with existing conditions are vulnerable. Family gatherings with close contact between kids & grandparents probably most risky."
Musk's assertion was contradicted at a White House podium by global health expert Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force response coordinator.
"To the moms and dads out there that have children with immune-deficiencies or other medical conditions, we don't know the level of risk," Birx said.
"There is just not enough numbers at this time to tell them if they are at additional risk or not in the same way that adults are. No one is immune. We know it is highly contagious for everyone".
Data analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that younger Americans are at substantial risk of experiencing serious medical problems from the new coronavirus sweeping the globe.
A latest CDC analysis of US cases shows 38 per cent of those sick enough to be hospitalized were younger than 55.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Roads, streets wear a deserted look as India begins 'Janata Curfew'
Also Read
Coronavirus: PM Modi calls for daylong 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday
India adds 03 more to its Coronavirus death total
Indian Railways cancels all passenger, express trains till March 31
Kanika Kapoor Coronavirus Trail: A Tale of Two Cities
Bollywood singer tests Coronavirus positive at Lucknow VIP party
COVID-19 suspect BJP MP met President Kovind, Hema Malini, Mary Kom
200 Indian students stranded at Kazakhstan airport
Iran Coronavirus toll 1284, Israel 2nd worst-hit in Mid-East
Rand Paul first US Senator to test Coronavirus +
With a tweak, Shaheen Bagh protest to continue on 'Janta Curfew'
Anti-CAA Protest: Two women faint as UP Police use force to clear Clock Tower
Night curfew across Saudi Arabia as Coronavirus cases cross 500 mark
Coronavirus: Friday prayers suspended in over a dozen Muslim majority countries
Watch: Amit Shah's speeches that fuelled anti-CAA protests across India
'When your ancesters were licking boots of British': Awhad tears into BJP govt over CAA
Mumbai, Bengaluru anti-CAA protests continue amid Coronavirus scare
CAA-NRC bigger threat than Coronavirus: Shaheen Bagh protesters
COVID-19 Impact: Digital tools keep classes on as schools, colleges shut
