Beware! Use Of Steroids Major Cause Behind Covid-Triggered Black Fungus: AIIMS Chief

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria, who briefed in this regard, said the “chances of fungal infection increase in the patients who are diabetic, Covid positive and are taking steroids”.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Amid growing concern over the rise in the number of cases of mucormycosis or black fungus, top doctors aiding the Central Government in the fight against Covid-19 on Saturday said the misuse of steroids is a major cause behind this infection.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria, who briefed in this regard, said the “chances of fungal infection increase in the patients who are diabetic, Covid positive and are taking steroids”.

“To prevent it, we should stop the misuse of steroids,” he added.

Talking about the ill-effects of black fungus, Dr Guleria said” “This disease can affect the face, infecting nose, orbit of eye or brain, which can cause even vision loss. It can also spread to the lung.”

READ: Ways To Protect Yourself From Covid-Triggered Black Fungus – Health Minister Answers All FAQs

The AIIMS Director also warned of a surge in fungal infection in the Covid-19 patients.

“As Covid-19 cases are increasing, it is of paramount importance that we follow protocols of infection control practices at the hospitals. It is been seen that secondary infections -- fungal and bacterial -- are causing more mortality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal informed the overall positivity rate in India has now declined and said the “containment efforts are working”.

“Overall positivity rate in India, which stood at 21.9% last week has now fallen to 19.8%. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have reported a major drop in case positivity,” he added.

Aggarwal further said 11 states have over one lakh active cases, eight states have 50,000 to one lakh active cases and 17 states have less than 50,000 cases.

“Maharashtra, UP, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh where high number of cases are being reported are also reporting a decline in active cases,” he added.

The Joint Secretary, however, expressed concern with regard to Tamil Nadu where a “rise in number of active cases has been reported in the last one week”.

Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul, who was also present during the media briefing on Covid-19 update, threw light on the country’s vaccination coverage so far.

READ: Ventilators' Audit, Containment Strategies & Testing: What All PM Modi Discussed At Covid Review Meet

“Single-dose vaccination coverage among healthcare workers is 89% at the national level. It is 95% in Rajasthan, 96% in Madhya Pradesh and 99% in Chhattisgarh. In Delhi, it stands at 78%, which is 11% below the national average. It should be taken to above 95%,” said Dr Paul.

“Overall single-dose vaccination coverage among frontline workers stands at 82% in the country. It is 93% in Gujarat, 91% in Rajasthan, & 90% in Madhya Pradesh -- well above the national average. In Delhi, it stands at 80%,” he added.

Dr Paul further said around 1.5 crore doses of Covaxin are being produced per month.

“The plan is to ramp up the production to 10 crore doses per month,” he added.

India’s total active caseload has decreased to 36,73,802 on Saturday. It now comprises 15.07% of the country’s total positive cases. A net decline of 31,091 cases is recorded in the active caseload in the last 24 hours, said the Union Health Ministry, adding 11 states cumulatively account for 77.26% of the country’s total active cases.