Inclusion Criteria:  Age 18 years and older Established diagnosis of COPD by medical doctor (based on clinical history OR pulmonary function test with an FEV1/FVC < 0.7) Current hospitalization with suspicion of an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) Inclusion within 24 hours post hospital admission Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or his/her representative obtained prior to any study procedure  Exclusion Criteria:  Patients unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures Patients not requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics or both as a minimum therapy for the index AECOPD Patients with a confirmed positive test result for COVID19, or those highly suspected based on clinical examination