This study was initiated after two patients (Patients 1 and 2) who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were hospitalized, discharged, and then readmitted with another positive test. 58 additional patients who had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and discharged before February 27, 2020 were included in the sample.

Among the 60 discharged patients enrolled, 10 patients (16.7%) had positive RT-PCR results. None of the patients had clinical symptoms except cough in patients 1 and 2, who were both over the age of 70 with underlying conditions. Patient 2's second positive test indicates a viral shedding duration of 56 days from illness onset.