The Management of an Early COVID-19 Case with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Community Hospital in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Background: We reported an early COVID-19 case in a young patient in a Canadian community intensive care unit (ICU) with severe acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS). We discussed the management according to the recently published Surviving Sepsis Guidelines on COVID-19. This will provide critical care physicians important and timely information on the management of severe COVID-19 using a real case when critical care physicians are facing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Many of the recommendations regarding ARDS are extrapolated from previous literature in the critically ill, with new information on the adjunctive use of steroids, antivirals and immunomodulatory therapies now emerging.