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NHS experts are looking into a severe illness in children that could be linked to coronavirus.

More than a dozen children were in need of intensive care after appearing to have been struck by a form of toxic shock syndrome.

Those affected fell ill with a combination of symptoms linked to Covid-19, including a sore stomach and heart problems.

Doctors were alerted to these cases by concerned NHS bosses who have asked for any children who have developed similar symptoms to be referred to hospital.

At Monday’s Government press briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted he was “very worried” about the new wave of cases putting children in intensive care.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, announced experts were looking into the reports of symptoms being experienced among some children in the UK.

“We have become aware in the last few days of reports of severe illness in children which might be a Kawasaki-like disease,” he said.

“Both Chris (Whitty - England's Chief Medical Officer) and I are aware of that, and we have asked our experts, I have asked the National Clinical Director for Children and Young People to look into this as a matter of urgency.”

Public Health England are also looking into these reports after suggestions of a link to Covid-19.

Prof Powis said: “We’re not sure at the moment – it is really too early to say whether there is a link.

(Image: PA Video/PA Wire)

Most of the children affected have Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that mainly affects children under the age of 5 - with an estimated 4.5 cases for every 100,000 children under the age of 18 in the UK.

The characteristic symptoms of the disease include a high temperature that lasts for five or more days, a rash and swollen glands in the neck.

Professor Powis urged parents who were worried about a child who was sick and not recovering to seek medical help.

Professor Whitty added: “This is a very rare situation but I think it is entirely plausible that this is caused by this virus, at least in some cases.

“Because we know that in adults, who of course have much more disease than children do, big problems are caused by an inflammatory process and this looks rather like an inflammatory process, a rather different one.

“Therefore, given that we have got a new presentation of this at a time with a new disease, the possibility - it is not a definite, we need to look for other causes as well - but the possibility that there is a link is certainly plausible.”