The first double lung transplant for a patient infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia is successfully performed in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on Feb 29. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxifabu2013]

The first double lung transplant for a patient infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia was successfully performed in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on Feb 29.

Chen Jingyu, vice president of Wuxi People's Hospital, and his team successfully completed the surgery after a six-hour procedure, according to officials.

The 59-year-old male patient, diagnosed with COVID-19, received endotracheal intubation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and drug treatment.

Even though repeated nucleic acid tests for the infection turned up negative, both the patient's lungs had been seriously damaged and the condition was irreversible. Surgery was the only option.

Chen and his team carried out the operation at Wuxi No 5 People's Hospital after experts confirmed that a lung transplant was possible.

The lungs, donated by a brain-dead patient, were transferred to Wuxi via high-speed rail and took six hours to arrive.

The patient has now awoken after the surgery. His new lungs are working well and his vital signs are stable.