Guangzhou coronavirus patient released after recovery

A 55-year-old woman infected with novel coronavirus was discharged on Thursday from a hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, the first to recover in the city.

The woman, surnamed Ying, visited an elderly person who had fever at a nursing home in Wuhan, Hubei province on Jan 1.

Ying fell ill 19 days ago and went to seek treatment at a local hospital for coughing and fever, where she was found to have an infection in her lungs.

With her condition improved after a week's treatment, she came to Guangzhou to visit relatives on Jan 21.

Ying had headache, coughing and chest tightness after she arrived in Guangzhou and tested positive for novel coronavirus at Guangzhou First People's Hospital. She was transferred on Jan 22 to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, designated for treating pneumonia inflicted by the novel coronavirus.

After treatment, Ying tested negative for novel coronavirus on Jan 25, 26 and 27, according to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital.

"When I was confirmed (for pneumonia), I felt helpless. They (the medical workers) told me 'You will be fine. Feel at ease when you receive treatment here. Then I felt relieved," Ying told the media.

"From WeChat messages, I see many people are scared. As I see it now, they don't have to be so scared. Quarantine well. Protect yourself and your family well. It is curable," she said.

Ying said she would quarantine herself for some time before going outdoors.

The condition of Ying was not very serious when she came to the hospital, and the staff will follow up on her health after she leaves, said Lei Chunliang, president of Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital.