Dry cough is a common symptom in novel coronavirus pneumonia, but it is not characteristic and cannot be used as a basis for a definitive diagnosis. In most patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia, in addition to a dry cough, symptoms such as fever and general malaise are also present. Some patients also have respiratory manifestations such as nasal congestion, runny nose and symptoms such as headache, dizziness and diarrhea. The diagnosis of a patient with novel coronavirus pneumonia requires a combination of several factors, including a history of epidemiologic exposure, typical clinical signs and symptoms, chest imaging, and routine blood tests. The diagnosis is confirmed by a positive coronavirus pathogenic test based on a positive result consistent with viral infection.