Usefulness of portable chest radiography and blood sampling for prompt medical response in COVID-19 isolation facilities: two cases of moderate stage I COVID-19

Abstract

We report on two COVID-19 patients who received symptomatic therapy or were transferred to the hospital based on an examination in an isolation facility. The first case was that of a patient with moderate I stage COVID-19 examined by portable chest radiography. He received kampo treatment, and his respiratory symptoms improved. The second case was also of a patient with moderate I stage COVID-19 examined by portable chest radiography. However, body temperature was over 38 °C with an increase in white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level. Although the patient’s oxygen saturation did not decrease, the patient was transferred to the hospital to receive advanced treatment because of persistent symptoms and unfavorable examination results. To our knowledge, chest radiography and blood sampling test along with a doctor visit to isolation facilities have never been reported in Japan. Due to restricted medical resources under the growing COVID-19 spread, hospitals that can receive COVID-19 patients are limited. The present cases suggest that objective examination with chest radiography and blood sampling is simple but provides important information to manage COVID-19 patients in isolation facilities.