Background On 9 March 2020, the Corona Outpatient Clinic was opened at the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital in Dresden, where 2.871 persons presented themselves until March 31, 2020, of which 2.257 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this work is to analyse the clinical characteristics of these pa-tients. Methods Based on a questionnaire filled out by each patient, the indi-cation for SARS-CoV-2 testing was given by a physician. The data of the patient’s characteristics and the test results were evaluated in aggregated form without individual-related in-formation. Results In the study period from March 9 to March 31, 2020 2.257 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2. 163 tests were positive. The most frequent symptom was cough. Headache, muscle pain and fever were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p < 0.05). 79 % of the patients presented within six days of the onset of symptoms. 78 of those who were tested positive (49 %) said they had been abroad in the 14 days before the start of illness. 82 (52 %) had prior contact with a person who was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions Main symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are cough and headache. Muscle pain, headache and fever were significantly more common in people infected with SARS-CoV-2. Patients often present just before or during the critical phase of the disease.