If the initial nucleic acid test for novel coronavirus is negative, it means that the body may not be infected with novel coronavirus, or it may be infected but not detected yet. In some patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia, the first three tests for coronavirus nucleic acid are negative and the fourth test is positive. After human infection with novel coronavirus, symptoms such as fever, malaise, dry cough and diarrhea usually appear, and some patients have atypical clinical manifestations.
Therefore, the diagnosis of novel coronavirus pneumonia should be given a comprehensive consideration, including epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, and relevant examinations. A negative initial test for novel coronavirus nucleic acid does not determine that the patient is free of the virus.