Patient Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria - Adult (age ≥ 18 years) - Admitted to the hospital of any participating center - Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with either: positive laboratory test for SARS-CoV-2* ; or positive CT thorax diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the prevailing criteria - Randomization: - Within 24 hours of confirmed in-hospital SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis OR - within 24 hours of hospital admission in case of pre-hospital confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. - In case there is a lack of laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 in the participating center of the potentially eligible patient, a positive laboratory test for SARS-CoV-2 will be no longer required. In that case, the potentially eligible patient needs to meet the prevailing criteria for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection of that participating center, such as typical abnormalities on pulmonary CT in the setting of high clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Patient Exclusion Criteria

- Admitted to ICU prior to randomization - Currently taking an ARB or angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitor (ARNI) - Use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment - Prior reaction or intolerance to an ARB or ARNI; or severe intolerance to an ACEi, defined as angio-oedema requiring medical intervention - Systolic blood pressure < 105mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <65mmHg - Potassium greater than 5.5 mEq/L within 4 weeks of study enrollment. - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) of < 30ml/min/1.73 m2 within 4 weeks of study initiation - A known history of renal artery stenosis - AST and/or ALT > 3 times the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of study enrollment. In case of mild to moderate liver dysfunction valsartan dosage will be limited to a maximum of 80mg - Severe liver dysfunction, biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis - Severe volume depletion or severe acute kidney injury that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude administration of valsartan - Concurrent treatment with Aliskiren - Inability to obtain informed consent - Pregnancy or breastfeeding - In females of childbearing age, unwillingness to use birth control or to be sexually abstinent for the duration of the study