2.1 Study population& setting
In this prospective study we included adults (≥18 years) undergoing elective tracheostomy between 21st March – 24th April 2020 for weaning of mechanical ventilation who had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonitis at GSTT. All procedures were performed by the intensive care team or dedicated COVID-19 ENT tracheostomy team. The study was registered and approved as clinical audit.