Diabetics make up a third of England's Covid hospital deaths

One third of all hospital deaths from coronavirus in England have been among diabetics, new research shows, amid warnings that the condition more than doubles mortality risk.

Experts said the major study, which included all patients hospitalised with Covid-19 over 10 weeks, showed that diabetes – which is often fuelled by obesity – is driving Britain's death toll.

Charities said people with diabetes must be allowed to work from home or be put on furlough if their jobs put them at risk.

The research, led by the national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, examined 23,804 Covid-19 deaths in hospitals between March 1 and May 11.

Of those, 7,466 occurred in people with Type Two diabetes, while 365 were in those with Type One of the disease.

Across the country, nine in 10 cases of diabetes are type 2, which is driven by obesity. Two in three adults in the UK are overweight or obese.

On Tuesday, research showed that severe obesity doubled mortality risks in Covid-19 patients with Type One diabetes, and increased it by almost half in those with Type Two.

High blood sugar, which is associated with uncontrolled diabetes, also significantly increased the dangers, doubling the mortality risk in Type One diabetics and raising it by more than 60 per cent for those with Type Two.

The findings follow reports that Boris Johnson plans to tackle Britain's obesity problem with renewed vigour after concluding that his weight was the reason he became perilously ill with Covid-19.

The Prime Minister was 17-and-a-half stone before he was admitted to hospital, meaning a Body Mass Index of around 36, given his height of 5'9".

The new studies did not establish why those with diabetes are at such heightened risk from coronavirus, but researchers said high blood sugar and complications from the condition might damage underlying health, while previous studies suggest excess weight can exacerbate breathing problems.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, the national clinical director for diabetes and obesity and the lead author of the study, said: "This research shows the extent of the risk of coronavirus for people with diabetes and the different risks for those with Type One and Type Two diabetes.

"Importantly, it also shows that higher blood glucose levels and obesity further increase the risk in both types of diabetes.

“This can be worrying news but we would like to reassure people that the NHS is here for anyone with concerns about diabetes."

The NHS is offering video and phone consultations for diabetes patients, and has set up a dedicated helpline for advice and support for patients treated with insulin, with charity Diabetes UK. The charity said employers must put measures in place to keep people with diabetes safe.

This could mean supporting them to work from home, putting them on furlough or putting measures in place to allow stringent social distancing for key workers, it said.

Bridget Turner, the director of policy said: "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."

The charity also said those with the condition should be prioritised for online delivery slots.

The new studies, which also involved Public Health England and Imperial College London, also found that those from black and ethnic minority (BAME) groups were at greater risk, making up more than 16 per cent of deaths.

More than six in 10 of those who died in hospital were male, while the average age was 79.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "Though people may suffer with Type One diabetes without being obese, obesity is the greatest risk factor for Type Two."

He said obesity is also a risk factor for four other underlying conditions – heart disease, dementia, kidney disease and asthma – that account for around three in four Covid deaths.

"The short term impact of obesity is devastating but it may be nothing compared to the damage it could wreak long term," he warned.