MOPH Warns Diabetes Patients Prone to Covid-19

MOPH Warns Diabetes Patients Prone to Covid-19

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has warned people with diabetes that they are prone to contracting COVID-19, as diabetes weakens the respiratory system.

Dr. Sopon Iamsirithavorn, Director of the Bureau of General Communicable Diseases said on November 14, which was World Diabetes Day, that the United Nations had warned diabetes patients that they have low resistence to COVID-19 infection, and should be aware of its symptoms.

The warning was similar to the latest research by Public Health England, which found that people with Learning Disorders (LD) have a high fatality rate when infected with COVID-19 with 451 deaths per 100,000 persons. The reason is that most of the time, LD patients also suffer from other conditions such as obesity and diabetes. As for the disease, they are less tolerant of it as COVID-19 damages their respiratory system. Other group at risk of respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 are the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses.

Thailand’s public health authorities have suggested that all caregivers be very wary when taking care of people at risk. Especially during the cold season with its higher rate of flu; when going outside, a face mask covering both nose and mouth is essential, along with avoiding crowded areas, washing hands frequently, and changing clothes immediately after returning home.