‘Good improvement,’ says relative of 12-year-old hospitalized with virus

A 12-year-old girl named Emma is recovering from the coronavirus at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs. CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA.

A 12-year-old girl named Emma is recovering from the coronavirus at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs. CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA.

A relative of Emma, a 12-year-old girl diagnosed with the coronavirus at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, said Tuesday the girl's condition is improving.

Emma tested positive for COVID-19 late Friday night and required breathing assistance at the Sandy Springs hospital.

Justin Anthony, a cousin of the girl, said Tuesday afternoon Emma was “slowly waking up out of sedation and is responding well to her dad and mom.”

» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia

“The X-ray(s) of her lungs today are showing good improvement,” Anthony said in a text message to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He provided no additional details.

The virus tends to be mild in kids. But in Emma’s case, she went to the hospital multiple times with a persistent fever and on March 15 was admitted with what was believed to be pneumonia. She was tested for COVID-19 after her condition worsened.

Anthony previously said Emma’s family was unaware of any pre-existing medical conditions.

According to data from the state Department of Public Health, only 1 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state — or approximately 10 — have been documented in people 17 and younger.

The AJC is not publishing Emma’s last name to protect her privacy.