What is already known on this topic?

COVID-19 has become a serious public health issue. A higher proportion of severe patients were senior patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and had a lack of statistical evidence so far.

What is added by this report?

When severe illness was compared with non-severe illness, senior patients were at a greater risk (4.71) than young and middle-aged patients, as well as the odds ratio was about 2.99 patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes and hypertension. COVID-19-infectious senior patients with diabetes were inclined to suffer severe illness.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Much more attention should be provided for the elderly and individuals with diabetes, for which a community-based education and surveillance program could be considered.