Clinical analysis of 17 deaths associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus

Abstract Background Since the end of December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak has occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. An epidemiological survey showed that the pneumovirus infection was closely related to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, causing great panic among the general population. Through the isolation and whole-genome sequencing of the pneumovirus, an infection model of the pneumovirus in human airway epithelial cells was established, and the pneumovirus was identified as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which belongs to the β-coronavirus genus. This study focus on lethiferous processes of infections associated with the new virus.Methods The data of 17 deaths from 13 hospitals in Wuhan were obtained, and the initial symptoms, clinical features during the progression of the disease, and treatment processes were well analyzed. Results At the early phase of the outbreak of 2019-nCoV, the lack of effective drugs for pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus has led to lethal results in people who are often elderly with multiple diseases. Males were affected more than females. Fever, dry coughing, shortness of breath are the primary presentations, but not all. Chest images showed viral pneumonia. Symptomatic supportive treatment did not improve respiratory distress, leading to a sudden deterioration in the condition. The development of diseases are different from the other two cronoviruses.Conclusions Older people are at high risk of death due to 2019-nCoV infection, and protecting high-risk groups is an effective way to reduce the number of deaths. A large number of viral pneumonia in Wuhan within a short period of time suggest the outbreak caused by a new virus, virus nucleic acid test will make accurate diagnosis, and the diagnosis based on clinical manifestations and imaging results provides a basis for early treatments.