The last three COVID-19 patients in the ICU at Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital have all tested negative for the virus following nucleic acid tests. Medics transferred them to disinfected transitional wards on Tuesday.

The hospital's ICU has treated a total of 81 COVID-19 patients since the outbreak began. All of them were in critical condition. Among them, 25 patients had to get extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO, which is a form of life support for patients with profound heart and lung failure.

Five of them were successfully taken off ECMO. One is a 40-year-old patient who was taken off ECMO 11 days ago after 40 days hooked up to the lifesaving machine. 

He's been quickly recovering since. Now he can eat, speak a little and does muscle exercises three times a day. Doctors attribute his quick recovery to his relatively young age.

ICU Director Hu Ming worked for over three months and didn't go back home until last Tuesday. Now, as he is much less occupied with patients, he has more time to read and reflect.

"I'm reading more documents to see different opinions. Your opinion is not necessarily right and needs proof from other things," said Hu. "I'm trying to form a theoretical framework of effective treatment based on our clinical experiences."

Recalling the battle against COVID-19, Hu shared the key lessons doctors learned. He suggests that decision-makers consider making more strategic reserves in normal times, not only medical supplies but particular medical staff, equipment and beds.

"Second, we've basically reached a consensus for the use of high-level medical treatment, like intubation, ECMO, prone position, CRRT and airway management. The earlier we use them, the better," he said.

Hu also said since traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proven effective in treating COVID-19 patients, it should be introduced to more Western medicine hospitals. He said they also need guidance on how to use TCM in conjunction with Western medicine to treat patients more effectively.