Objective To analyze the initial symptoms and epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), provide theoretical basis for formulating prevention and control measures for epidemic of COVID-19. Methods 90 patients confirmed with COVID-19 in Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were chosen, they were performed retrospective epidemiological survey according to Epidemiological survey program of COVID-19 cases formulated by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Results None of the 90 COVID-19 confirmed patients in this hospital had a history of contacting with wild animals, 29 cases (32.22%) had a history of sojourning in Wuhan and its surrounding areas (type A epidemiological history); 49 (54.44%) had a history of contacting with COVID-19 patients, 12 (13.33%) had a history of contacting with patients with fever or respiratory symptoms reported in community, all had type B epidemiological history. 73 cases (81.11%) were clustering onset of disease. Patients' age was 3-89 years, the average age was (48.19±17.85) years. Type A epidemiological history mainly concentrated on patients of 18-60 years, mainly migrant workers; proportion of patients ≥ 60 years in type B epidemiological history cases was higher than that of type A epidemiological history cases, mainly farmers; there were significant differences in age and occupation between two groups of patients(both P<0.05). The initial symptoms were fever and chills (n=43, 47.78%), cough (mainly dry cough, n=27, 30.00%). 73 cases (81.11%) took medicine by themselves at the beginning of the disease. The total average score of premorbid behavioral and psychological status of patients was (15.16±7.64). Patients with type A epidemiological history were better than those in type B epidemiological history in terms of awareness on 2019-nCoV, understanding protective measures, awareness on windowing ventilation and indoor disinfection, diffe-rences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05); patients with type B epidemiological history were better than those with type A epidemiological history in terms of knowing not to go to densely populated areas, difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion COVID-19 is highly infectious with early sporadic, late clustering onset and person-to-person transmission. The middle-aged and the elderly are the high incidence population, COVID-19 is closely related to occupational exposure, peoples are generally susceptible to it. Early diagnosis, early isolation, comprehensive treatment and active control of chronic underlying diseases are essential for controlling COVID-19.