Around 40 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. were among diabetes patients, a new study finds.
This means that of the more than 608,000 Americans who have died of the disease since the start he pandemic, about 240,000 had diabetes.
Diabetics only account for 10 percent of the population, making the figure a staggering reminder how deadly the virus can be for people with the condition.
The statistic was found by data analysis from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which revealed the findings during a conference last week.
Dr Robert Gabbay (right) said an analysis by the ADA finds that 40% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States were among diabetic people
Dr Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer of the ADA called the 40 percent figure 'quite sobering'.
'I can't say this strongly enough, if you have diabetes, get vaccinated,' he said during a conversation with "HealthDay Now last week.
'Speak to your health care provider, discuss your concerns. But with the risk of hospitalization and death related to COVID being six to 12 times higher for people with diabetes, it's time to get vaccinated.'
Diabetes has long been known to be a comorbidity that could cause negative health outcomes for patients who contract COVID-19.
People with poorly managed diabetes are more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit if they contract the virus.
Managing diabetes in the United
