Expert: COVID-19 pneumonia progresses faster than SARS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) on patients of the novel coronavirus pneumonia progresses faster than on SARS patients, Tong Chaohui, vice president of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, said in a press conference on Thursday.

Tong said that treating coronavirus patients with ARDS is more difficult than treating SARS patients with ARDS because the attack on the heart is worse.

"Thus, we have to monitor these patients' vital signs closely including heart rate, blood pressure, and especially the changes in blood oxygen," he said, adding that it's important to enhance respiratory support and move forward invasive ventilation.

(Top image via VCG)