COVID-19 pandemic

Statement from Jan-Philipp Beck, CEO of EIT Health:

The continuing spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a global health emergency. More than 181,000 cases have been confirmed across over 140 countries, with more than 7,100 deaths at the time of writing.

At EIT Health, our thoughts are first and foremost with those who have been affected – family, friends and colleagues alike. We understand that these are worrying times for all, particularly for the elderly and those with conditions that put them at higher risk.

We heed the advice of the relevant public health and government authorities, and our priority is protecting the health of our employees and others amongst our community. Within our connected world, there is much information available from varying sources, and we recommend that only trusted and credible sources of information and advice on how to stay safe and support the containment efforts are adhered to.

We applaud the efforts of those within our community and beyond, who are best placed to support; those who are working on the front line, treating patients, implementing strategies and supplies to mitigate the impact of the virus on our society, and those developing new solutions that can strengthen our response to life threatening illness both now and in the future.

Currently, Europe is rightly focussed on responding to the immediate threat presented by COVID-19, however the time will come for reflection. While challenges such as this bring hardship to our society, they also offer vital lessons that enable us to grow stronger and more resilient. Although perhaps the most significant we have encountered in recent years, COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic we face, and the EIT Health community, including our partners, will play a crucial role in contributing innovative solutions that can strengthen our ability to overcome such adversity.

In the medium-term, we know that many in our community are concerned with the impact that COVID-19 presents to our business plan activity. Let me assure you that we are urgently exploring all possible options given the serious and unforeseen circumstances. We will share updates as soon as possible, and in the meantime, we hope that you and your families are remaining safe and well.