Nearly 1 in 4 Utahns hospitalized with COVID-19 has diabetes
May 11, 2020, 11:39 AM | Updated: 11:41 am
Health department data shows about one in four Utahns diagnosed with COVID-19 also has diabetes. Photo: Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY — New numbers from Utah Department of Health show nearly one in every four people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Utah also has diabetes. It’s one of the diseases known to increase the risk of severity for people who contract the virus.
The data, analyzed by the Deseret News, shows 23% of people hospitalized have diabetes, 18% have some kind of heart conditions, and 14% are former smokers.
Read more: Diabetics go underground to counteract prescription costs
Health workers have learned the medical history of most but not all of those who’ve been hospitalized.
The data follows national trends. It shows although all people have an equal chance of catching COVID-19, the risk is far greater for those who have underlying conditions.
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As of Sunday, 6,251 Utahns had tested positive for COVID-19, with another 512 hospitalized. But most have now been released. The state estimates 3,033 of those who tested positive are considered “recovered.”
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
- Get a flu shot.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
