New York state has revealed that 64 children now have a rare syndrome linked to the novel coronavirus — 11 of them have been treated at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital within the last 10 days. 

Health officials are calling the disease pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19.

"This is not a likely occurrence, this is an unusual occurrence and I think that's the biggest message," says Dr. Michael Gewitz, of Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. 

The health advisory lists symptoms like persistent fever, rashes or abdominal and cardiovascular issues — requiring intensive care.

News 12 asked Dr. Gewitz why it's being seen now and whether the virus has mutated. "It's unclear that the mutation actually has anything to do with it," says Gewitz.  "It may have to do with the development process of the immune system in these individuals' genetic factors. We're just not really sure yet. This is still new."

All physicians at the hospital have been notified about the situation and the pediatric infection control team is on high alert.

The hospital says it is now in the process of handling a unified system of how to evaluate, assess and treat the children.

While it's still unclear exactly how many children in Westchester County are infected, Dr. Gewitz says the most critically ill children from the county and Lower Hudson Valley are usually admitted to this pediatric care unit since it is the only one in the region.