The value and importance of digital transformation have received widespread attention during the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic. Based on survey data，this paper performs an empirical analysis on the current status of enterprise digital transformation，and the role of digitalization in epidemic response. The results show that：1）There are obvious structural differences in the digital transformation of enterprises；2）Digital transformation has a positive impact on the epidemic response，but its effectiveness has a “threshold effect”；3）The positive impact of digital transformation is mainly reflected in enterprises’ soft power，and digital measures related to operation management and sales are the most effective. In order to improve the effectiveness of digital transformation in responding to external shocks，the government should strengthen policy support for the digital transformation of traditional industries，lower the barriers to digital transformation through inclusive financial measures and new infrastructure construction，encourage enterprises’ digital transformation with a special focus on small and medium-sized ones，and seize the opportunities for digital economy development after the COVID-19 pandemic.