Quarter of people who die from coronavirus in England have diabetes

More than a quarter of all NHS patients who have died after being infected with COVID-19 had diabetes, according to new statistics from NHS England.

Between 31 March and 12 May, a total of 5,873 patients with diabetes died in hospital from COVID-19, 26% of all coronavirus deaths.

It is the first time data on hospital deaths and underlying health conditions has been revealed by the NHS.

People with diabetes have previously been described as being at moderate risk from the virus and were not part of the groups told to shield themselves in their homes due to fears they were at extreme risk.

The NHS England data does not specifically say whether type 1 or type 2 was more prevalent among deaths. It said work was underway to understand the deaths data to include examining the type of diabetes, ethnicity and weight of those who died.

NHS England said it was working with Diabetes UK to provide support and advice to patients via its helpline which will include volunteer clinical advisers.

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Source: Independent, 15 May 2020