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The rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty around best practice has many in the medical profession scratching their heads, but when it comes to managing diabetes patients with the virus, the accepted advice appears to follow existing guidelines for the treatment of infections – at least for now.

Associate professor Neale Cohen (pictured), director of clinical diabetes at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute says it’s important to focus on glucose control because COVID-19 can lead to fluctuations in HbA_1c levels which may influence prognosis.

“It’s reasonable to assume that if glucose levels are poorly controlled, it’s a risk factor for a poorer outcome.”