Published online Aug 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i24.7032
Peer-review started: March 26, 2021
First decision: May 5, 2021
Revised: June 11, 2021
Accepted: July 5, 2021
Article in press: July 5, 2021
Published online: August 26, 2021
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious infection caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The disease was identified in December 2019 and has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Although the mechanisms and treatments for COVID-19 have been explored, there is no report of the treatments and clinical characteristics for COVID-19 patients in the Tibetan plateau area, which features a low temperature, low humidity, and high ultraviolet exposure.
To explore the clinical characteristics and treatments for COVID-19 in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area in China.
This study retrospectively analyzed the blood cell counts (neutrophils and lymphocytes), blood gas analysis, and thoracic computed tomography changes of patients from Qinghai Province before, during, and after treatment (January 23, 2020 to February 21, 2020). In addition, we summarized and analyzed the information of critical patients.
This study included 18 patients with COVID-19 in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area. The main manifestations included fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Three patients developed difficulty breathing and had a fever. They were eventually cured and discharged. Of the 18 cases, only two had secondary infections and three developed a critical condition but were cured and discharged. All 18 patients were discharged, and no death occurred.
This study collectively illuminates the epidemiological characteristics and treatments for COVID-19 patients from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area in China.
Our findings provide critical insight into assessing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in the plateau area, which will further improve the understanding of COVID-19.