Like many 8-year-olds, Jayden Hardowar had been spending the quarantine doing schoolwork, playing, and being with his family. His family, who lives in Queens, New York, practiced social distancing and to their knowledge did not interact with anyone who had coronavirus.
But in late April, Jayden became ill. He had a fever and diarrhea. His pediatrician recommended he take Tylenol, which he responded to, but after a few days the 8-year-old called out for his mother. When she looked at him, he was blue.
Jayden was rushed to the hospital.
“As we moved on Atlantic Avenue, all I’m thinking in my mind is Jayden — is he gonna make it? Is he gonna make it?” Roup, Jayden’s father, told NBC New York.
He was transferred to Cohen’s Children’s Hospital and put on a ventilator in the ICU.
In less than a week, Jayden went from doing homework to suffering cardiac arrest.
Jayden was tested for antibodies and it revealed that he had contracted coronavirus. His family is unsure where he would have contracted the virus. They were also tested and are awaiting their results.
“It’s still a nightmare thinking of where Jayden is right now. Last week about this time, we were all together having dinner, playing, working from home, teaching from home, learning from home,” said Navita, his mother. “One of the scariest things as a mother, we’re at home thinking something like this will never happen to us.”
His family is unable to be with him, but they have been able to video chat with him. Recently, after he was taken off the ventilator, they were able to speak with him.
While communicating through video is far from ideal, especially for an 8-year-old, they are hopeful he will be able to be discharged from the hospital soon.
Jayden’s situation is similar to other children in New York City who have been hospitalized with symptoms that resemble Toxic Shock Syndrome or Kawasaki disease.
There have also been cases of children with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease in other parts of the world.
“The fact that we don’t know enough is very scary,” Navita said. “It’s a moment I don’t ever want to relive or would like any parent to experience.”
Share this story and pray for Jayden’s recovery, and also pray for the children who are experiencing a similar situation.
