Coronavirus: Diabetic people offered support

People with diabetes are being offered help and support as a study reveals some people with the condition may be at higher risk if they catch coronavirus.

Although the threat of coronavirus is still low for most diabetic people, diabetes was linked to a third of virus deaths in England from 1 March to 11 May, NHS England research shows.

High blood sugar levels and obesity add to the risk.

But age is a bigger risk factor.

People with type 1 or 2 diabetes are strongly advised to follow the government's coronavirus advice.

Diabetics are not included in the list of people at highest risk who should shield at home, although some may be advised to shield if they are at significant risk due to a combination of health factors.

There is a helpline and online advice which people with diabetes can use to help manage their condition during the coronavirus outbreak.

Assessing individual coronavirus risk is important.

Someone might have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, and still be very fit and only experience mild symptoms if they catch coronavirus.

Research suggests the threat for those under 40 with type 1 (insulin-dependent) or type 2 diabetes is very low.

Some people may have other risk factors - such as heart disease or high blood pressure and obesity as well as diabetes - which would put them at much higher risk of complications.

Age remains the strongest risk factor for becoming severely or fatally ill with coronavirus, say experts.

Data shows:

Prof Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director for diabetes and obesity and lead author of the study said: "This can be worrying news but we would like to reassure people that the NHS is here for anyone with concerns about diabetes - and has put extra measures in place to help people and keep them safe."

Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.

In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 can often be prevented by losing weight, eating healthily and being active.

Type 1, on the other hand, is not preventable - it just happens, often starting in childhood, and scientists still can't explain why.

Bridget Turner from Diabetes UK said: "This new data sheds much-needed light on which groups of people with diabetes are more likely to experience poor outcomes if they catch coronavirus.

"It's very important to remember that the risk of dying from coronavirus - for people with and without diabetes - remains very low, and that as cases of coronavirus decline, the risk to everyone of catching the disease will reduce in turn.

"The most important thing anyone with diabetes can do is try their best to manage their condition carefully, keeping their blood sugar in range as much as possible. All people with diabetes should also follow stringent social distancing measures to reduce their chances of catching the virus altogether."

Doctors say if you are concerned about your diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic: