The unexplained cases of pneumonia in children in China may be caused by an increased respiratory tract infection following the country's strict lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The increase in cases is being investigated by local health officials, especially because many children have to be hospitalized for pneumonia. Although the situation is still unclear, it is likely that this outbreak is caused by the resurgence of common respiratory pathogens that commonly occur after the country implements a strict lockdown against the coronavirus, rather than new infections.

Pneumonia is a common term for inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Symptoms can include cough, shortness of breath, fever, and chest pain. Most people recover within a few weeks, but those who are very vulnerable, such as infants, the elderly, and those with certain health conditions, may require hospitalization.

From the ProMED description, fever is the main symptom they observe in children, without cough, but many experience what is known as lung nodules. None of the ProMED posts mention any deaths.

Nodules small lumps in the lungs, which can be seen through X-rays or CT scans. This disease is found in one-third of people whose lungs are scanned and is usually caused by ongoing or past infections. According to Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia, England, these symptoms are usually a sign of bacterial infection, not a virus. It could be caused by someone who has a bacterial infection after being infected with the flu virus. Source: NewsScientist