4 Laboratory Examination

That a decrease of lymphopenia is associated with severe cases has been emphasized in all editions. “Increased troponin can be seen in some critical patients” is gradually realized based on knowledge of “increasing levels of liver enzyme, muscle enzyme and myoglobin, and abnormal coagulation function”.

The fourth edition added that “2019-nCoV nucleic acids can be detected in pharynx swabs, sputum, lower respiratory tract secretions, blood specimens” while“feces specimen” where 2019-nCoV nucleic acids can also be detected is added in the fifth edit ion.

The sixth edition emphasizes “To improve the positive rate of nucleic acid detection, it is recommended to collect and retain sputum in general patients except those performed with tracheal intubation(lower respiratory tract secretions should be collect); and all the specimens should be sent and tested as fast as possible.”

Chest imaging descriptions changed little from the first edition to the sixth edition.