Pleural fluid analysis in this case showed an exudative effusion with high lymphocyte count. Even though pleural fluid analysis is rarely diagnostic in isolation, the differential diagnosis of a lymphocytic, exudative pleural effusion is broad and would include viral related pleural effusions. In our case, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected using RT-PCR, which is consistent with the diagnosis of a complicated parapneumonic effusion from SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia.