First patient management of COVID-19 in Changsha, China: a case report

• Main Authors: Jian Zhou, Ziqin Cao, Wanchun Wang, Kang Huang, Fang Zheng, Yuanlin Xie, Dixuan Jiang, Zhiguo Zhou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-11-01
• Series: BMC Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Cured patient; COVID-19; China; Case report
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-020-05545-y

Abstract Background In December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It rapidly spread and many cases were identified in multiple countries, posing a global health problem. Here, we report the first patient cured of COVID-19 infection in Changsha, China, and the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of this patient are all described in this report. Case presentation A 57-year-old woman developed cough and fever after returning to Changsha from Wuhan on January 9, 2020. She tested positive for COVID-19 infection, a diagnosis which was supported by chest CT. The patient was treated with lopinavir and ritonavir tablets and interferon alfa-2b injection. A low dose of glucocorticoids was used for a short period to control bilateral lung immune response, and this patient avoided being crushed by cytokine storms that might have occurred. The clinical condition of this patient improved, and a COVID-19 assay conducted on January 25, 2020 generated negative results. This patient recovered and was discharged on January 30, 2020. Conclusions Currently, there are numerous reports on COVID-19 infections focusing on the disease’s epidemiological and clinical characteristics. This case describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of a patient cured of COVID-19 infection, which may serve as reference for future cases, while further studies are needed.