Clinical guidelines for Diabetic patients with Covid-19

Shimla, June 3 –  A spokesperson of the Health Department said here today that the clinical guidelines on diagnosis and management of diabetes in Covid–19 patients have been issued by Government of India. He said that the patients with normal glucose levels have been seen to develop increased blood glucose levels (hyper glycemia) during the course of this viral illness especially in severe cases of Covid. The steroids given during the severe Covid complications also contribute to hyper glycemia in such individuals. Therefore, stringent glycemic assessment and choice of drugs is a dynamic and ongoing process in these patients.

He said that as per the guidelines, directions have been given to Covid care facilities that every patient should be screened for hyper glycemia with at least two capillary blood glucose values. Any patient whose diabetic status is confirmed should be started treatment for that and put on diabetic diet.

He said that among the total deaths due to Covid–19 in the State 50 percent of the deceased had co-morbidities. Out of these deaths with co-morbidities, diabetes mellitus contributed to 48.1 percent of the deaths.

He urged the Covid-19 patients and suspects in home isolation to ensure that they are registered in Himachal Covid Care app and should be in regular contact with the doctors providing treatment. Such patients should monitor their glucose levels regularly and should continue with their medications as advised by the doctors.