Unravelling Data for Rapid Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic severely tested the readiness of healthcare systems around the world. In order to mount an effective response, reliable, real-world data is required to assess the impact on patients and find effective treatment strategies. The EU-funded unCoVer project comprises a network of institutions that will gather and provide access to COVID-19 data from Europe and the rest of the world. The ultimate goal is to unify large data sets, complement research, inform public healthcare strategy and reduce the impact of future pandemics.

Objective
unCoVer is a functional network of research institutions collecting data derived from the provision of care to COVID-19 patients by health systems across Europe and internationally. These real-world data allow for studies into patient’s characteristics, risk factors, safety and effectiveness of treatments and potential strategies against COVID-19 in real settings, and complement findings from efficacy/safety clinical trials where vulnerable groups, and patients with comorbidities are often excluded. The network will facilitate access to otherwise scattered datasets, and build computational and analytical platforms to streamline studies on risk characterisation, and prediction modelling using standardised pooled data derived from real life practices. It will fill data gaps, unify current initiatives and create downstream exploitation opportunities for researchers and public health strategies to optimise COVID-19 strategies and minimise the impacts of future outbreaks