Girl with no pre-existing conditions on ventilator from coronavirus

A 12-year-old girl is ‘fighting for her life’ in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

According to CNN, Emma is currently in hospital in Atlanta after being struck down with the illness.

Her cousin, Justin Anthony, told CNN that she was diagnosed with pneumonia on March 15th, and subsequently tested positive for coronavirus last Friday night.

Justin Anthony / Facebook

By Saturday she was on a ventilator, Mr Anthony said, adding that she had no pre-existing conditions – it’s currently unknown how she contracted COVID-19, although luckily Emma is currently in astable condition

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite Hospital confirmed a patient tested positive for the virus, with a spokesperson saying: “The patient remains in isolation, and we have consistently used appropriate precautions. Additional details will not be released due to patient privacy laws”.

Justin Anthony / Facebook

Mr Anthony told CNN that the girl’s mum had given approval to tell her story, adding that he wants people to know how serious coronavirus is.

He said: “I know first hand how dangerous it is. Everyone keeps saying ‘it doesn’t impact younger people.’ But here’s a 12-year-old fighting for her life. People need to practice social distancing. People need to take care of their children. People need to take this seriously.”

While the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are more at risk from coronavirus, kids are getting and spreading the illness – although usually they develop milder symptoms.