SARS-CoV-2 turned positive in a discharged patient with COVID-19 arouses concern regarding the present standards for discharge

Abstract

An outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a serious epidemic in China and other countries, resulting in worldwide concern. With active efforts of prevention and control, more and more patients are being discharged. However, how to manage these patients normatively is still challenging. This paper reports an asymptomatic discharged patient with COVID-19 who retested positive for SARS-CoV-2, which arouses concern regarding the present discharge standards of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Discharge standard; Turn positive.

Figure 1

Chronological changes of SARS-CoV-2 gene nucleic acid detection of a 54-year-old man with confirmed COVID-19. The time point in the upper blue dotted frame refers to changes of SARS-CoV-2 gene nucleic acid detection during the hospitalization, and the time point in the lower red dotted frame means changes of SARS-CoV-2 gene nucleic acid testing after discharge and followed up at a designated medical unit. TS, sample of throat swab. Sp, sample of sputum. Fe, sample of feces. + refers to positive. - refers to negative. ± refers to weakly positive, which should be concerned and followed up.

Figure 2

The same patient as Figure 1. Dynamic changes of SARS-CoV-2 viral load detection in sputum and throats swabs. Ct value ≤37 refers to positive (+). Ct value ＞ 40 refers to negative (-). 37 ＜ Ct value ≤40 refers weakly positive (±), which should be concerned and followed up.