World Health Organization: case definitions for surveillance
Suspect case
• A. Patients with acute respiratory illness (i.e., fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory
disease such as cough or shortness of breath) AND with no other aetiology that fully explains the
clinical presentation AND a history of travel to or residence in a country/area or territory reporting local
transmission of COVID-19 disease during the 14 days prior to symptom onset; OR
• B. Patients with any acute respiratory illness AND having been in contact with a confirmed or probable
COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms; OR
• C. Patients with severe acute respiratory infection (i.e., fever and at least one sign/symptom of
respiratory disease such as cough or shortness of breath) AND requiring hospitalisation AND with no
other aetiology that fully explains the clinical presentation.
Probable case
• A suspect case for whom testing is inconclusive.
Confirmed case
• A person with laboratory confirmation of infection, irrespective of signs and symptoms.
[WHO: global surveillance for human infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)]