Abstract: Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and CT image changes of COVID-19 cases, so as to provide reference for local prevention and treatment.Methods Medical records and CT imaging data of all confirmed COVID-19 cases were collected from People's Hospitals of Shangcheng and Luoshan counties during January 23 to February 23, 2020. Descriptive epidemiological analysis method was used to analyze the data.Results Fifty COVID-19 cases were diagnosed. The male to female sex ratio was 1.38∶1. The average age was 50.92 ± 14.63 years. Of the cases, 31 （62%） were aged 45-64 years, 39 （78%） had epidemiological exposure history, 11 （22%） had no definite history of epidemiological exposure. Six family-clustered outbreaks occurred, involving 13 patients. The incubation period was 1-23 days, with an average of 5.95 ± 4.24 days. The main symptoms of the cases were fever （84%） and cough （72%）. On admission, 43 cases （86%） had normal white blood cell （WBC） count or decreased absolute lymphocyte count, 40 cases （80%） had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and 26 cases （52%） had elevated C-reactive protein （CRP）; 15 cases （30%） were complicated with primary underlying diseases. Forty patients （80%） were administered with two or more antiviral drugs. Two weeks after admission, 40 cases （80%） showed that the lesion area was gradually reduced on CT images.Conclusion Most patients have a clear history of epidemiological exposure, family-clustered outbreaks occurred, and the main clinical symptoms are fever and cough. Normal or decreased WBCs and elevated ESR are more common, which has reference value for clinical diagnosis. CT shows that the lesion area is enlarged first and then gradually absorbed. Active antiviral and symptomatic treatment can improve the symptoms.

Key words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Epidemiological characteristics