Almost a fifth of coronavirus-related deaths in Scots hospitals have been diabetics, official figures show.
The statistics have led to calls for protection and guidelines for those with the condition.
Figures from the National Records of Scotland show 554 of those who died with Covid-19 mentioned on their death certificates up to May 24 had diabetes.
That is almost 15 per cent of the 3779 total virus deaths at that time.
Out of the 1760 people who died in hospital with the virus, 341 were diabetics – 19 per cent.
Angela Mitchell, national director at Diabetes Scotland, said: “Employers must put measures in place to keep people with diabetes safe, either by supporting people to work at home or, where this is not possible, by putting people with diabetes on furlough or by putting measures in place to allow stringent social distancing for those key workers who absolutely must be at work.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Support programmes are in place for people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
"We keep all clinical guidance under review and continue to work with our advisers – including a diabetes speciality adviser.”
