This retrospective study analyzed chest CT scans of 21 symptomatic patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China to identify and characterize common imaging findings. Typical CT findings included bilateral pulmonary parenchymal ground-glass and consolidative opacities, often with a rounded morphology and peripheral distribution. Notably, lung cavitation, discrete pulmonary nodules, pleural effusions, and lymphadenopathy were absent. Follow-up imaging in some patients showed mild or moderate progression of disease, as indicated by increasing extent and density of lung opacities. The 2019-nCoV, a new coronavirus, was first identified in Wuhan, China, and has caused a global health emergency. It belongs to the family Coronavirusidae and is related to SARS and MERS. The study found that 12 of 21 patients had ground-glass opacities (57%), and six had consolidation (29%). The disease often affected multiple lobes, with a high likelihood of involvement in more than two lobes. Ground-glass opacities and consolidation were the primary findings on CT scans, with a peripheral distribution commonly observed. The study also noted that some patients had normal initial CT scans, with one progressing to a solitary rounded ground-glass lesion. Follow-up CT scans showed progression in some patients, with increasing opacities and consolidation. The absence of cavitation, pleural effusions, and lymphadenopathy was consistent with previous SARS studies. The study highlights the importance of chest CT in diagnosing 2019-nCoV, as it can help identify early and mild disease. However, chest CT may lack complete sensitivity, and some patients may not show imaging changes early in the infection. The findings suggest that 2019-nCoV shares some similarities with SARS and MERS in terms of CT appearance. The study emphasizes the role of radiologists in early detection and diagnosis of new cases, which is crucial for public health surveillance and response. Future studies are needed to understand the long-term outcomes of patients with 2019-nCoV.This retrospective study analyzed chest CT scans of 21 symptomatic patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China to identify and characterize common imaging findings. Typical CT findings included bilateral pulmonary parenchymal ground-glass and consolidative opacities, often with a rounded morphology and peripheral distribution. Notably, lung cavitation, discrete pulmonary nodules, pleural effusions, and lymphadenopathy were absent. Follow-up imaging in some patients showed mild or moderate progression of disease, as indicated by increasing extent and density of lung opacities. The 2019-nCoV, a new coronavirus, was first identified in Wuhan, China, and has caused a global health emergency. It belongs to the family Coronavirusidae and is related to SARS and MERS. The study found that 12 of 21 patients had ground-glass opacities (57%), and six had consolidation (29%). The disease often affected multiple lobes, with a high likelihood of involvement in more than two lobes. Ground-glass opacities and consolidation were the primary findings on CT scans, with a peripheral distribution commonly observed. The study also noted that some patients had normal initial CT scans, with one progressing to a solitary rounded ground-glass lesion. Follow-up CT scans showed progression in some patients, with increasing opacities and consolidation. The absence of cavitation, pleural effusions, and lymphadenopathy was consistent with previous SARS studies. The study highlights the importance of chest CT in diagnosing 2019-nCoV, as it can help identify early and mild disease. However, chest CT may lack complete sensitivity, and some patients may not show imaging changes early in the infection. The findings suggest that 2019-nCoV shares some similarities with SARS and MERS in terms of CT appearance. The study emphasizes the role of radiologists in early detection and diagnosis of new cases, which is crucial for public health surveillance and response. Future studies are needed to understand the long-term outcomes of patients with 2019-nCoV.