Diagnosis of COVID-19
Nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for detection of SARS-Cov-2 virus by
real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using
the WHO protocol for the 2019- nCoV RT-PCR assay in March 2020.
Specimens in May were tested using the CobasĀ® SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay
(Roche Diagnostics, USA). Radiological diagnosis of pneumonia was made
by evaluation of infiltrates observed on chest radiographs and/or CT
chest. A multidisciplinary team of doctors including infectious disease
consultants, pulmonologists, and intensivists was involved in the
identification of cases and their management.