Diabetics may need to shield at home against coronavirus even after lockdown ends

Diabetics could be forced to self-isolate after lockdown is lifted after it emerged they are at greater risk of dying from coronavirus.

A review by government scientists found that the blood sugar condition was being considered as part of an "active review" of the most vulnerable groups.

Almost one in three people who died from Covid-19 in hospital had diabetes.

Most diabetics are classed as "clinically vulnerable" rather than the "clinically extremely vulnerable", the worst affected group of people who received letters from doctors telling them to stay at home.

But scientists will consider whether sufferers need more protection after official figures showed people with autoimmune type 1 diabetes are three-and-a-half times more likely to die if they catch Covid-19.

And people with type 2 diabetics are twice as likely to die from the virus.

Nine out of 10 diabetics have type 2 and many are obese, which is another major factor in the worst affected Covid patients.

Professor Peter Horby, chair of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) advisory group, said diabetes was being considered as part of an "active review" of the most vulnerable groups.

Bridget Turner, director of policy at Diabetes UK, said she hopes the government does not unveil any blanket rules.

She said: "It’s important to remember that everyone with diabetes is different, so a blanket ask of shielding for everyone with diabetes is unlikely to be appropriate."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “The guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19 has been developed by expert doctors.

"They have identified specific medical conditions that, based on what we know about the virus so far, place someone at greatest risk of severe illness from Covid-19.

"We continue to keep this evidence under review.”