Were there EVALI cases in California when COVID-19 started spreading?
Yes, there were confirmed cases of EVALI in California when the COVID-19 pandemic began. In April 2020, the California Department of Public Health reported eight patients who were hospitalized with this specific lung injury. This occurred right as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was spreading across the state.
What the research says
A specific field report from California documents eight patients who were hospitalized with e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury in April 2020 1. This timing places these cases squarely within the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic 1.
Data collected as of October 2019 showed that EVALI cases were already occurring in the United States before the pandemic peaked, indicating the condition existed prior to widespread viral transmission 3. A later surveillance report updated on characteristics of these patients used data collected as of October 15, 2019, confirming the condition was active before the height of the pandemic 2.
While clinical guidance was issued to help doctors distinguish EVALI from other lung issues like pneumonia, the presence of these eight specific cases in California confirms the condition was present alongside the early spread of the virus 45.
What to ask your doctor
- How can I tell if my lung symptoms are from EVALI or from the coronavirus?
- What specific vaping products or substances should I avoid to prevent lung injury?
- What are the early warning signs of EVALI that I should watch for?
- Should I get tested for EVALI if I have used vaping products and now have breathing trouble?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.