Despite restricted access to standard clinical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, glycaemic control has not deteriorated for people with type 1 diabetes using telemonitoring of glucose data.

The increased risk profile for severe COVID-19 disease on hospital admission for people with diabetes can be mitigated by application of telemonitoring and glucose-lowering treatment immediately following admission.

Routine telemonitoring can identify groups of at-risk individuals with diabetes who need in-person consultation and care, as well as those who may be successfully managed with telemedicine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the unmet need for wider application of telemedicine and telemonitoring via CGM for people with diabetes, including those with hyperglycaemia and early-stage diabetic ketoacidosis that may go untreated during times of restricted clinical access.

The efficacy of diabetes digital health ecosystems has been validated during the COVID-19 public health emergency and argues for accelerated implementation of these models of care in diabetes.