What you need to know - Staying safe from Covid-19 over the festive period for people living with diabetes

Remember, ‘Hands. Face. Space.’:

• Hands – wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.

• Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

• Space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings).

Making a Christmas bubble with friends and family

The government has announced measures for people to meet up over the festive period.

A government statement introducing the recommendations said: “The festive period is an important time for many people of all faiths and none who come together over the holidays. The UK government and Devolved Administrations recognise that people will want to be with their friends and family over Christmas, particularly after an incredibly difficult year.

"For this reason, the government is changing some social contact restrictions for a short period of time. When following these new rules, we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.”

Between 23rd and 27th December:

• you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households

• you can only be in one Christmas bubble

• you cannot change your Christmas bubble

• you can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble

• you can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces

• you can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying

• you cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble

You should travel to meet those in your Christmas bubble and return home between the 23 and 27 December. Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December.

For more information on Christmas bubbles visit here.

NHS: Why vaccination is safe and important

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases.

The NHS has published a reminder how vaccines work, what they contain and the most common side effects.

An NHS statement said: “Important: Be aware that anti-vaccine stories are spread online through social media. They may not be based on scientific evidence and could put you at risk of a serious illness.”

Read the NHS guidance on vaccinations here.

For people living with diabetes previously published advice on protecting yourself from the virus is recommended

Whilst the safety measures have not changed and many of the previously recommended messages remain the same in this respect, we understand this may be a difficult time for many DRWF supporters living with diabetes and remind you we are always happy to hear from you and offer help and support where we can for any concerns you may have throughout this uncertain period.

Latest recommendations for people with diabetes

If you are over 60 or clinically vulnerable – including people under 70 with an underlying health condition, including diabetes, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

The latest guidelines recommendations for people in this category:

• should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others

• should continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace

There is a further group of people who are defined, also on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions. Over this period, we are advising the clinically extremely vulnerable to work from home. If you cannot work from home, you are advised not to go to work and may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). You are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, but are encouraged to go outside for exercise. The full guidance is available and the Government will write to everybody who is clinically extremely vulnerable to set out detailed advice while the new restrictions are in place.

During the Covid-19 pandemic people with diabetes have had an additional health concern to consider – healthcare professionals advise to look after yourself as best as you can as an additional safety measure against contracting the virus this winter.

As previously reported, almost one in three of all deaths from coronavirus among people in hospital in England during the Covid-19 pandemic have been associated with diabetes.

A follow-up NHS report confirmed that people living with diabetes are at a significantly increased risk if they get Covid-19 compared to people without the condition.

The breakdown of figures confirmed that people with type 1 diabetes who are diagnosed with Covid-19 are more likely to die from the illness than people with type 2 diabetes.

The news highlighted the importance for people with diabetes to self-isolate as much as possible in line with government Covid-19 lockdown guidelines.

Read NHS guidance on who is at risk from Covid-19.

MAKE YOURSELF “WINTER-PROOF”

Ways people with diabetes can prepare for the winter season include:

·Have a flu jab if advised

·Be familiar with sick day rules – especially if prescribed to take metformin and if on ‘flozins’ – the flozin treatments (e.g. dapagliflozin) are a particular one to watch and stop taking if unwell, due to the risk of developing ketones which could progress to DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)

·Ensuring you have working meters, enough ketone testing sticks and appropriate supply of medications, etc

·Good footcare and footwear

·Stay well hydrated, and take care if drinking alcohol (as excess amounts can cause dehydration)

·Seek advice early if unwell and ensure to have some skills in insulin dose adjustment where appropriate

Read 'Sick day rules' in the DRWF leaflet Managing diabetes when you are ill

Read Who can get the new Covid-19 vaccine?

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