Through sorting and analyzing of the main literatures of previous dynasties, this article differentiated COVID-19 in the categorization of Wenbing and Shanghan from aspects of solar terms of the outbreak, climate changes, clinical manifestations and reverse proofs on efficacy of the formulas, etc. It drew a conclusion that COVID-19 belonged to Shanghan, rather than Wenbing. COVID-19 started with Shanghan, and then developed into miscellaneous diseases, and simultaneously changed into complicated and deteriorated diseases due to incorrect treatments, so COVID-19 should be treated with methods of Shanghan.