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In order to accurately admit children with COVID-19 to an isolation ward, our study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of children in isolation wards during the COVID-19 epidemic. It was found that 55 cases (83.3%) had fever and 48 cases (72.7%) coughed in the isolated area, 31 cases (47%) had a history of exposure, 26 cases (39.4%) had a decrease in lymphocytes (LYM), more than half had an increase in lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase isoenzyme, 14 cases (21.2%) had positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, 58 cases (87.9%) had abnormal chest computed tomography (CT), and 11 cases (16.7%) had sinus arrhythmia. Therefore, for some suspected children with COVID-19, we can make a comprehensive judgment through clinical symptoms, epidemiological history, LYM number, myocardial enzyme spectrum, chest CT, and electrocardiogram; put these children in an isolation ward for treatment; and then transfer them to a general ward for treatment after excluding COVID-19.

Background COVID-19 is diagnosed using RT-PCR assays of samples from nasal and oropharyngeal swabs. People with negative RT-PCR often presented with clinical manifestations of COVID-19. The data on such patients are lacking. The present study aims to characterize the patients who were suspected COVID-19 cases and tested negative in RT-PCR compared to patients who had been tested RT-PCR positive. Methods This is a retrospective, observational study of adult suspected and confirmed patients of COVID-19 admitted to King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1st March 2020 until 30th November 2020. Laboratory confirmation is done through nasal/pharyngeal swab specimens, tested positive in RT-PCR assay. Patients with initial negative RT-PCR test results were assessed again within 48−72 h to avoid false-negative results. Patient data were extracted from the electronic medical files of each included patient using a predesigned case report form. Results The study included 488 (80.93%) patients with RT-PCR swab results positive, and 115 (19.07%) patients who were negative. Respiratory rate and diastolic blood pressure were higher among the swab-positive cases. More number of swab-negative patients had comorbidities such as coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and carcinoma. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath were reported higher among the swab-positive cases. ALT and AST, and LDH levels were found higher among RT-PCR-positive patients. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and troponin were more elevated in RT-PCR-negative patients. Antibiotics, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids were used more by swab-positive patients. Significantly higher number of RT-PCR-positive patients required proning, high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and invasive mechanical ventilation. Acute cardiac ischemia and death were found to be similar among the patients. However, deaths occurred significantly earlier among the swab-positive cases when compared to the swab-negative group. Conclusion Distinctive symptoms and markers of COVID-19 are more frequent among patients who had RT-PCR-positive results.

Introduction Coronavirus disease emerged in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, and spread rapidly worldwide. Few studies have described the nursing care provided to patients in isolation between suspicion of having the disease and a confirmed diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to describe the treatment of, and nursing care processes for, patients suspected, but not yet confirmed, of having coronavirus disease at 1 facility in Shanghai, China. Methods For this retrospective facility case review and patient health record study, data were collected on all patients with suspected coronavirus disease who were treated between January 22, 2020, and February 29, 2020, at 1 hospital. The facility’s nursing care processes were described in detail. Results A total of 119 patients were suspected of having coronavirus disease on the basis of the screening criteria. Nine (7.6%) patients had confirmed coronavirus disease and were transferred to a higher level of care. The remaining 110 (92.4%) were treated and discharged. No cross-infection between patients and hospital staff or other patients was detected. The patients’ symptoms included fever (n = 98, 82.4%), cough (n = 79, 66.4%), dizziness (n = 28, 23.5%), headache (n = 26, 21.8%), fatigue (n = 26, 21.8%), myalgia (n = 16, 13.4%), rhinorrhea (n = 6, 5.0%), diarrhea (n = 5, 4.2%), severe nasal congestion (n = 4, 3.4%), and dyspnea (n = 1, 0.8%). Discussion Coronavirus disease is very contagious. Nurses need to understand the symptoms and treatment of the disease as well as nursing procedures, and learn how to cut off transmission routes, control transmission sources, and use protective equipment correctly to prevent transmission of the disease within the hospital.