Acute respiratory distress syndrome during a pandemic—an obvious diagnosis?

Abstract

A man aged 28 years was admitted to hospital with fever and headache in April, 2020. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR testing from an oropharyngeal swab was negative, and he was discharged from hospital and sent home the next day. 8 days later, he presented again with dry cough and severe respiratory distress. Oxygen saturation was 72% with 15 L/min of oxygen via a non-rebreather mask. He was immediately intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.