Diabetes and COVID-19

What we know so far – March 2020 Update Diabetes, COVID-19 and your policy with AllLife.

As a valued policy holder and someone living with Diabetes, you may be concerned about how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect your policy and the measures South Africa has taken to curb the spread of the associated virus. We hope this update will help.

What we know so far

Your Policy with AllLife

During these difficult times, we want to assure you that you and your family have the peace of mind of knowing your life cover will not be affected by COVID-19. It has, however, never been more important to continue to pay your premiums in order to keep your policy active and to ensure that you are adequately covered. We are taking all the necessary measures to ensure that the ongoing operations of our business will continue to function as normal, including the ongoing collection of premiums, the payment of all claims and the servicing of your policy.

You can contact us as follows:

Sales : 0861 25 55 43

Customer Care : 0861 55 55 59
customercarequeries@alllife.co.za

We understand you need us now more than ever and we will do everything within our power to meet the expectations you had of AllLife when you entrusted us with your financial security. We will get through this together.

What is COVID-19?

The virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also known by its disease name, Coronavirus, or COVID-19. As the pandemic has spread across the globe, significant measures have had to be taken by governments and communities to stem the spread. The South African government has also taken significant steps to help the general population protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19. We hope this update will help you make the necessary choices for ensuring your health at this time.

What is happening with COVID-19?

COVID-19, in many respects, behaves like the flu but is far more contagious. Moreover, COVID-19 can develop into a form of pneumonia that can be fatal. Although up to 80% of the people who contract the virus appear to battle merely mild symptoms, the remaining 20% develop more serious illness especially when the affected person has other health conditions or illnesses.

What must I do as someone living with Diabetes?

As yet, not enough research has been conducted to show any firm results on how COVID-19 and Diabetes interact, so the most important things to do are:

  • Change your plans: In accordance with the governmental proclamation, South Africa is on lockdown. You are advised to stay in your home as much as possible, and avoid crowds. Please keep up to date through your favourite news or radio station, as this situation is developing.
  • Stay healthy: You’ll need to stick to your Diabetic treatment plan, your eating plan, and make sure you get enough exercise. Now’s the time to log on and find some of your favourite home workouts!
  • Get enough sleep: Sleep is a fundamental part of staying healthy. While it may feel like we’re living in quite a stressful time, keeping your stress levels at a manageable level will help you manage your health. And, one of the best ways to beat stress? Get enough sleep.
  • Stay healthy: Stick to your Diabetic eating plan. Good nutrition supports your body, and supports your Diabetic treatment plan.
  • Stay ahead of the game: In times of a pandemic, healthcare facilities will be overwhelmed by patients and emergencies. Get in touch with your doctor or clinic sister to obtain guidance on how you can collect your medication during the period of national lockdown.
  • Stay safe: Practicing excellent hygiene is always important, but owing to the easy way COVID-19 can be transmitted, it’s now doubly important. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds a time, with soap, and keep at least 2 metres between yourself and anyone who appears to be ill. Movie nights with your family, relaxing with a good book, or logging on for a video chat with your friends are what we do.
  • Stay up to date: Don’t let the constant news updates overwhelm you. Rather, stick to the verified sources of updates from the Department of Health, and adhere to their recommended guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic has put the global population into a spin, and misinformation is rife. Stick to one reliable source.
  • Stay on track: Monitoring your blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels is always important, but now it’s doubly so. Because you may battle to get a medical appointment in an emergency, we recommend you keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels.
  • What to do if you don’t feel well: If you don’t feel well, get in touch with your doctor or clinic sister over the telephone, and follow their guidance for what to do next.
  • Get vaccinated: Ask your doctor or clinic sister if a flu vaccine is appropriate for you, and get vaccinated during this coming “flu season”.

COVID-19 Research as of March 2020

COVID-19 Vaccine: The entire medical industry across the globe is working hard to find a suitable treatment and vaccine for COVID-19. Right now, however, there is no available cure or vaccine. Current estimates predict that we will have the first vaccine available in 18 months’ time.
COVID-19 Treatment: Various treatment programmes for COVID-19 are being trialled. These include treatment trials that use elements of commonly known ARV treatment programmes, treatments for Malaria, influenza treatments and other drugs. As yet, none have proven entirely effective, but some are showing good results. The search for a vaccine is also underway.

How to stay updated

The National Department of Health (DoH) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are committed to keeping everyone up to date with the most important information related to COVID-19. See below for how you can stay up to date:

Department of Health website: http://www.health.gov.za/
NICD website: http://www.nicd.ac.za/
WhatsApp: Save the number 0600 123456 as COVID-19 Connect, to your contacts on your cell phone. In WhatsApp, send the word “Hi” to COVID-19 Connect and start chatting.
COVID-19 Hotline: 0800 0299 99