COVID-19, Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Practice, Research, and Remote Medical Care: A View From the Land Down-Under.

Abstract

We have learned that social distancing measures are vital to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has >2 million confirmed cases and >145 000 deaths globally, with 6497 cases and 63 deaths in Australia at the time of writing. While underlying factors have yet to be defined and the available data do not distinguish between types of diabetes, people with diabetes who contract COVID-19 have a 7.3% risk of death vs 2.3% for the overall population. The authors work in diabetes services in both public and private outpatient clinics of a major city (Melbourne, Australia) and are also active in diabetes clinical research. Multiple processes have been rapidly implemented in both the clinical and research space to support social distancing. Here, we will summarize key changes and present the responses of both patients and physicians to these changes.