More Details Released On 1st NJ Child's Coronavirus-Linked Death

NEW JERSEY – The Murphy administration on Saturday released some new details on the first coronavirus-linked death of a child in New Jersey.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the 4-year-old child had a "significant" underlying condition, but it was not Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease, which inflames blood vessel walls, causes temperatures to spike, eyes to redden and neck glands so swell. At least 13 New Jersey children were recently hospitalized with "pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome" resembling the illness, which is potentially linked to COVID-19. Read more: RWJ New Brunswick Treats 5 Kids For Illness Linked To Coronavirus

During his news conference on Saturday, a reporter asked Murphy to provide more detail so parents can get a better understanding as to what specifically caused the child to pass away.

Murphy declined to provide more details, saying the illness was so "specific" that any additional revelations could violate the family's privacy.

The information came as the number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey rose on Saturday to 137,085, and 9,116 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know