Urine nucleic acid test positive in an asymptomatic patient with novel coronavirus 2019 infection: a case report

Abstract Background: With the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 in many places around the world, the main medical resources currently focus on the treatment of confirmed patients and the screening of suspected cases. Asymptomatic patients are difficult to detect, but they may be contagious, which makes epidemic control more difficult. We found a case of asymptomatic patient with positive urine coronavirus nucleic acid test, and we hope to attract attention of all circles.Case presentation: An asymptomatic patient with novel coronavirus infection was found in an epidemiological investigation of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019. The patient was admitted to the hospital on February 24, 2020. She had no clinical manifestations such as fever, dry cough, and fatigue, and no abnormal signs. The examination showed that her throat swab was negative for nucleic acid but the urine was positive for nucleic acid. She was given antiviral and symptomatic supportive treatment. On February 26, her throat swab was checked for nucleic acid positive. On March 3 and 5, her throat swab and urine nucleic acid were negative. On March 9 and 12, her throat swab nucleic acid were negative. The patient was discharged from the hospital on March 13 and continued to be isolated and observed outside the hospital. Follow-up was conducted on March 26, the patient did not have any discomfort, the throat swab nucleic acid test was negative, and the isolation was lifted.Conclusion: There are asymptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019, and their urine may be one of the sources of infection.