Case Report: Viral Shedding for 60 Days in a Woman with COVID-19

Abstract

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a public health emergency of international concern. This was first noted in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and since then has become widespread globally. We report a 71-year-old woman with documented viral shedding (based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing) of SARS-CoV-2 for 60 days from the onset of symptoms (55 days from her first positive test and 36 days after complete resolution of symptoms). This is to our knowledge the longest duration of viral shedding reported to date. This case demonstrates that viral shedding after COVID-19 diagnosis can be prolonged.

Figure 1.

Dynamic assessment of symptoms and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 reverse transcriptase–PCR test results over time.

Figure 2.

Medications administered.

Figure 3.

Chest computed tomography images. The images show multiple patchy shadows and bilateral subpleural ground-glass opacities and infiltrates, with improvement over time. (A and B): February 11; (C and D): February 17; (E and F): March 6; (G and H): March 21 (illness day 15, 21, 39, and 54, respectively).