2.5 TCM symptoms and auxiliary examinations
We identified inpatient medical records for all patients hospitalized with COVID-19 patients in the study hospital. We extracted and summarized patients’ TCM symptoms (at time of admission), including fever, aversion to cold, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, body ache, poor appetite, and diarrhea [1]. The recorded body temperature caused by fever (as measured by the nursing staff) was categorized as normal (36℃–37℃), low (37°C–38°C), medium (38.1°C–39°C), high (39.1°C–41°C), or ultra-high (> 40°C). All of the other symptoms were scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3 (integers) according to their severity. For example, in the case of a cough, 0 points were assigned for no cough, 1 point was assigned for occasional cough, 2 points were assigned for occasional cough, and 3 points were assigned for frequent cough. We also extracted serological results (as recorded by the physician) for the following variables: white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Finally, chest computed tomography (CT) images taken at admission were compared to those taken before discharge. These imaging tests were evaluated by a professional radiologist. Improved chest CT scans met the following criteria: no new exudative lesions, the scope of the exudative lesions was narrowed, and the density of the lesions was reduced. No significant changes in exudative lesions were considered as no significant changes, and more exudative lesions were considered as aggravation.