ACE (AUC: 0.923), CYP1A1 (AUC: 0.902), EME1 (AUC: 0.977), CD52 (AUC: 0.970), MYBL2 (AUC: 0.995), CDC25A (AUC: 0.998), BCL6 (AUC: 0.966) and CD3D (AUC: 0.955) showed relatively good diagnostic efficiency in distinguishing COVID-19 patients from healthy controls. The gene discussed is ACE; the disease is COVID-19.