Updates on COVID-19
Onduo is here to help during this time of increased healthcare need. We are committed to supporting members with the most up-to-date care and providing the latest updates for people living with type 2 diabetes.
You got this. We got you.
Here's how we can help.
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Stay healthy at home
With better glucose control, you can lower the risk of infection and avoid unnecessary trips to an ER, doctor's office or urgent care, where there's a higher risk of being exposed. Your Onduo Care Lead can help you make changes to adjust to different daily schedules or meal plans.
WHAT TO DO: Reach out to your Care Lead in the Onduo app if you need help setting up the blood glucose meter or CGM we sent you, or if you need more test strips.
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Get personalized support
Using the latest Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, your Onduo Care Leads are providing personalized information around COVID-19 and diabetes-related topics such as medication stockpiling, self-isolation and grocery shopping.
WHAT TO DO: Log onto the Onduo app to connect with your Care Lead and receive COVID-19 updates as the situation develops, including how to protect against the virus and what to do if you’re concerned you’ve been exposed.
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Visit our virtual clinic
If you're in a situation where you need more support, our doctors and certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES's) are ready to provide guidance and address questions such as how to adjust diabetes medications and when you have a fever. If you don't feel well, or if you can't make it to a doctor's visit right now for your normal diabetes care, we can help.
WHAT TO DO: Ask your Care Lead about how to get an appointment with our doctors in the virtual clinic for support.
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Keep healthy.
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Get support
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Visit your clinic
Webinar Series | Meet The Expert
Featuring leaders and experts on today's most important topics
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Adam Brown, Author
Bright Spots & LandminesAdam shares tips and answers questions about managing diabetes during this time. Topics include finding patterns in blood sugars, adjusting the home environment and keeping mindset and exercise on track.
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Dr. William Polonsky
Why day-to-day diabetes management can seem so toughTo manage diabetes successfully, it is important to recognize that there is an emotional side of diabetes that must be addressed. Dr. Bill Polonsky talks about why day-to-day diabetes management can seem so tough and what you can do about it.
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Danielle Schlosser, PhD and Alanna Robinson
Building Resilience & Coping with StressIf you are feeling anxious or not quite like yourself, you are not alone. Dr. Danielle Schlosser and Alanna Robinson from Verily Life Sciences present strategies and skills to help you cope with stress and build resilience during COVID-19 and beyond.
Keeping healthy at home
As a person with type 2 diabetes, you are at higher risk of experiencing serious complications if you contract COVID-19. But self-isolating can be challenging. Here are some guidelines to help you from the CDC and American Diabetes Association:
- Follow the general precautions you may have seen, such as avoiding crowds and practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay home as much as possible and limit outside visitors to reduce your risk of being exposed to the virus.
- Focus on better glucose management, which can help both lower the risk of infections and help you avoid trips to the ER, doctor’s office or urgent care, where the risk of contracting the virus is higher.
- Consider ways to avoid leaving the house for your medications. If possible, have more of your prescriptions on hand. If that’s not possible, try a mail-order pharmacy.
- Keep your spirits up! Call friends and family. Have dinner while video-chatting with someone you love to mimic a night out. Limit your time reading news sites and social media.
For caregivers: If your loved one gets sick
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Inform your loved one’s healthcare provider
Are you familiar with your loved one's medications? Do you have the info from their doctor on what to do? Make sure you understand and can help your loved one follow the doctor’s instructions for medications and care.
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Stay in other rooms
All the people in the household should stay in other rooms away from the sick loved one as much as possible. If you have a separate bathroom and bedroom to assign to the sick person, do so. If you can choose a space, choose one with a window that can be opened.
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Wear a mask.
The sick person should wear a face mask when other people are in the room. If the face mask causes trouble with breathing or other problems, then you as the caregiver should wear the mask when you’re in the same room.
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Wear disposable gloves
If you have, or think you’ll have, contact with body fluids (such as blood, stool, saliva, spit, nasal mucus, vomit, or urine), wear disposable gloves and a face mask. Throw them away after use and wash your hands afterward.
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Clean and disinfect.
Wash, wash, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, often, and avoid touching your face. Clean high-touch surfaces like the kitchen counter and the toilet regularly and well. The virus can live on some surfaces for 2-3 days.
What to do if you feel sick
Here’s some information from the CDC on things you can do to help you if you do end up getting sick from COVID-19:
- Name a person who can care for you if you get sick. Make sure that person knows they’re your “go to.”
- Stay in touch with others by phone, email, or even video chat, and don’t assume asking for help will be perceived negatively. Remember that most people want to help others--it makes people feel good.
- Review how you manage your diabetes on sick days. This may include more frequent blood sugar checks and an extra focus on staying hydrated.
- Talk to your health care provider if you experience symptoms.
What we know about COVID-19 and diabetes
COVID-19 poses different risks to people living with diabetes. The Center for Diseases Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have identified that people living with diabetes are at a greater risk of serious COVID-19 complications and death than people living without diabetes. Advanced age, heart disease, lung disease, and cancer also elevate risk.
While researchers are still hard at work looking for more answers, here are some more facts about COVID-19 and diabetes, many courtesy of the American Diabetes Association.
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In China, an early study has shown that between 5% and 20% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have diabetes.*
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Managing your blood sugars to the best of your ability—minimizing big ups and downs and especially avoiding highs—helps to give your body the best chance of preventing and fighting off infection. This can also help prevent visits to the ER or doctor's office where there's a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
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Experts are saying people living with diabetes should continue to take medications as prescribed, unless your healthcare provider suggests otherwise. This includes blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enazepril, and quinapril) and ARBs (e.g., losartan, valsartan, and candesartan).
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People with diabetes are entitled by law, through the Americans with Disabilities Act, to reasonable accommodations at work. Accommodations can include medical leave or alternate work arrangements, such as working from home.
Frequently asked question for type 2 diabetes patients related to COVID-19
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There is no evidence that people with diabetes are more likely to catch COVID-19 than people without diabetes. However, people with diabetes who do catch it are getting sicker and are more likely to have to go to the hospital. This is likely because people with diabetes tend to have more inflammation and an impaired immune system relative to people without diabetes. If you live with diabetes, you can improve your chances of fighting off COVID-19 by maintaining social distancing, managing your blood glucose, eating healthily, exercising, and reducing stress.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Less frequently reported symptoms include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of smell or taste. If you experience severe symptoms—trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face—get medical attention immediately.
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Yes. Symptoms can appear up to two weeks after exposure, but people may be contagious even before they show symptoms. Some people may never develop symptoms but still be contagious. This is why social distancing is so important.
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There are a large number of treatments in development including anti-virals, anti-inflammatories, and convalescent plasma, but none have been definitively proven to work yet. For people who are experiencing non-severe symptoms, rest, hydration, good nutrition, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help.
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When you’re going for a walk around your neighborhood, be sure to maintain as much separation from other people as possible (at least 6 feet). This isn’t rude—they’ll understand! Avoid touching things outside that other people are likely to touch, like railings and benches, and avoid touching your face. When you get home, wash your hands as soon as you get inside.
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Message your Care Lead in the Onduo app.
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Call us at 1-833-446-6386
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Email us at support@onduo.com
