EuRopean Study of MAjor Infectious Disease Syndromes Related to COVID-19

Background Rapid European COVID-19 Emergency Research response (RECoVER), is a project involving 10 international partners that has been selected for funding by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 research framework responding to call topic SC1-PHE-CORONAVIRUS-2020: Advancing knowledge for the clinical and public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. MERMAIDS 2.0 is the hospital care study within RECOVER. Rationale Detailed patient-oriented studies are needed to determine the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 disease and the combined influences of age, comorbidities and pathogen co-infections on the development of severe disease, together with virological and immunological profiles. This research is key to understanding the pathophysiology and epidemiology of this new disease, as well as to identifying potential targets for therapeutic or preventive interventions. Objective To establish the prevalence, disease spectrum and severity, clinical features, risk factors, spread and outcomes of novel 2019 coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2) in Hospital Care. Study design Prospective observational cohort study in selected European countries. Study population Children and adults with 1) acute respiratory illness (ARI) presenting to hospital care during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic (including both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients) and 2) patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, but with atypical presentation (non-ARI) or with nosocomial acquisition. Sites can optionally participate in the following tiers: Tier 1 (Clinical data and biological sampling) - Clinical samples and data will be collected on enrolment day and then at scheduled time points. Tier 2 (Clinical data an extended biological sampling). - incl. PBMC collection Optional add-on study In a subset of sites and patients, COVID-19 positive patients will be followed post-discharge for 6 months to study clinical recovery and long-term sequelae Main study parameters/endpoints: Prevalence of COVID-19 among patie