The long-quarantined case of COVID-19 with prolonged viral shedding and intermittent fever for more than 70 days

ABSTRACT

A 79-year old Japanese woman was diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), based on a positive reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) test result. Chest computed tomography revealed mild interstitial pneumonia. She had intermittent persistent inflammatory reactions with fever. Laboratory findings and RT-PCR test results showed SARS-CoV-2 positivity for more than 70 days. To the best of our knowledge, this relatively mild case has the longest duration of viral shedding recorded, as confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. This case demonstrates that the viral shedding in COVID-19 can be prolonged, even in mild disease, and highlights the difficulties in distinguishing viral shedding from SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.