Table 2.

Sputum characteristics and treatment methods of 41 severely ill COVID-19 patients.

	Severe cases (n = 23)	Severe-to-critical cases (n = 18)	P
Sputum classification on the 5th day
0	12 (52.2%)	8 (44.4%)	.623
1	6 (26.1%)	3 (16.7%)	.470
2	4 (17.4%)	3 (16.7%)	.951
3	1 (4.3%)	4 (22.2%)	.083
Sputum classification on the 10th day
0	4 (17.4%)	1 (5.5%)	.250
1	8 (34.8%)	3 (16.7%)	.194
2	7 (30.4%)	5 (27.8%)	.853
3	4 (17.4%)	9 (50.0%)	.026
Inhaled oxygen supplementation
Nasal cannula	9 (39.1%)	5 (27.8%)	.447
Face mask	2 (8.7%)	2 (11.1%)	.796
High flow	12 (52.2%)	11 (61.1%)	.567
Treatment
Antiviral therapy	23 (100%)	18 (100%)	NA
Antibiotic therapy	15 (65.2%)	16 (88.9%)	.080
Airway humidification	14 (60.9%)	13 (72.2%)	.447
Nebulized therapy	22 (95.7%)	17 (94.4%)	.859
Large-dose intravenous expectorants	15 (65.2%)	6 (33.3%)	.043
Sputum disruption using machine vibration	7 (30.4%)	7 (38.9%)	.571
Clapping on the back of patients to facilitate expectoration	11 (47.8%)	10 (55.6%)	.623
Drainage in the prone position	11 (47.8%)	3 (16.7%)	.037