van Klaveren D, Rekkas A, Alsma J, et al. - Researchers developed COPE and validated it to be a simple tool for predicting mortality and need for ICU admission in cases presenting to the ED with suspected COVID-19.

• In this retrospective study, model development was conducted using data from 5,831 first-wave patients and model validation was done using data of 3,252 second-wave patients.

• COPE included age, respiratory rate, C reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin and urea and captured most of the ability to predict death.

• COPE was well calibrated and exhibited good discrimination for mortality in second-wave patients.

• In addition, COPE allowed identification of patients at high risk of needing ICU admission in second-wave patients.