Guyanese boy, 8, reunited with NY family after COVID-19-linked illness

Jayden Hardowar in the hospital (inset) and arriving back home. (New York Post photos)
Jayden Hardowar in the hospital (inset) and arriving back home. (New York Post photos)

A young boy of Guyanese heritage was reunited with his family in New York last week after he was hospitalised for what is being called a ‘shock syndrome” linked to COVID-19.

According to an ABC News online report, Jayden Hardowar, 8 of Richmond Hill, Queens, on April 23 came down with a mild fever.

His father, Roup Hardowar, was told by a pediatrician that there was no need to worry and was advised to continue to give his son children’s Tylenol.

According to the article, within three days, the child’s fever went away but he subsequently began feeling weak and later lost his appetite, which caused his pediatrician to suggest that he drink Pedialyte.

Roup who told ABC News that the family was not worried about the virus, said they had been following the stay-at-home orders.

He said, “He was doing fairly okay at home, we were confident, we were not concerned, because we know that we have been practicing social distancing as a family.”

However, on April 29, while watching TV, Jayden called out for his mother, whilst throwing his hands up in his struggle for air, before going into cardiac arrest.

ABC reported, that his brother age 15, and a Boy Scout, did chest compressions until the ambulance arrived at the home.

It was said, Jayden received an electric shock after first responders found an irregular heartbeat.

Jayden who was taken to Cohen’s Children’s Hospi-tal in New Hyde Park, was said to be placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit for three days before staff saw any improvement.

The article revealed, Jaden as one of at least 64 children in New York State to come down with what health officials are calling pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19, or “shock syndrome.”

According to ABC, doctors in the U.K first warned against the mysterious illness linked to COVID-19 in April. Cities across the United States of America, have since been reporting cases of the rare illness.

It stated that an advisory was issued and the New York Department of Health names fever, inflammation and single-or multi-organ dysfunction among some of the symptoms of the syndrome. Health advisory also said, it can feature symptoms that “overlap with Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome.”

According to ABC News, while Jayden also tested negative for COVID-19, he tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, suggesting he had been previously infected weeks or even months ago.

According to a New York Post report, Jayden was greeted by a parade of first responders, neighbours and loved ones as he returned home May 12.

It was stated that dozens of well-wishers, including rows of first responders in protective face masks, clapped for Jayden, as his parents helped him to their home, where a colourful “welcome home “ sign was hung on the front door.