ESGE and ESGENA Position Statement on gastrointestinal endoscopy and the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Europe is severely affected from Covid-19 pandemic with an exponential increase in incident infections and deaths. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 can be subtle, encompassing a broad spectrum from asymptomatic mild disease to severe respiratory illness. Health care professionals in endoscopy units are at increased risk of infection from COVID-19. Infection prevention and control has been shown to be dramatically effective in assuring the safety of both health care professionals and patients. The prolonged lockdown period across Europe resulted in the cancellation of elective GI endoscopies as only urgent endoscopies were performed. The aim of this present Position Statement is to provide up-dated evidence-based guidance on endoscopy practice for the lockdown and the post-lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.