Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 23

Ludhiana district has reported four more deaths due to mucormycosis. One patient succumbed to the deadly fungus today while information regarding the death of three more patients received today as data was submitted by various hospitals to the district Health Department after the state government had declared it as a notified disease on May 19. Total deaths due to black fungus in the district have reached five.

According to the Health Department, a total of 52 patients are suffering from mucormycosis as on Sunday, of which 33 are confirmed and 19 are suspected patients.

‘Covid patients should report if symptoms appear’

Covid patients, who are at a high risk of black fungus, on discharge should monitor and report in case they observe any such symptoms — abnormal black discharge, blood or crust from nose, nasal blockade/stuffiness, headache, eye pain, facial pain, facial swelling/redness, eye swelling/congestion, double vision, loss of vision and if the blood sugar level is more than 200 mg/dL.

The highest number of patients, 31 persons, are admitted to the DMCH while five each are admitted to Deep Hospital, SPS Hospital and the CMCH, four to Civil Hospital and one each to Oswal Hospital and Fortis Hospital.

Meanwhile, the district has received 75 doses of Amphotericin B injections used in the treatment of mucormycosis, popularly known as black fungus. These injections have been distributed among five city hospitals. With 52 patients patients admitted, 75 doses will not be able to suffice as each patient needs at least 30 vials of injections.

After Remdesivir injection, now, the state government has decided to provide Amphotericin B from the government stock. The rate per vial has been fixed at Rs 1,424.82 (excluding GST which is 5 per cent). The state is procuring the injections from the Centre.

Earlier, the demand for the injection was minimal and it was not produced in bulk by firms. But a sudden spike in the demand has led to its shortage.

Kulwinder Singh, Zonal Licensing Authority, said the district had received its first batch of 75 doses of Amphotricin B injections which were used in the treatment of black fungus.

The DMCH, CMCH and SPS have been allocated 20 injections each, 10 injections have been allocated to Deep Hospital and five to Grewal Hospital.

Dr Manish Munjal, head of department, otorhinolaryngology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said at present, they had sufficient stock of injections for the patients admitted to the hospital.

Stressing on the need for a regular follow-up, Dr Munjal said even after a patient was cured of black fungus, he/she needs a regular follow-up as it could re-occur.

“Nose, sinus, eyes, brain and lungs could be affected due to black fungus. If fungus is removed from one part there are chances of its re-occurrence in other parts as well. Patients needs to be cautious about symptoms and need a regular follow-up with the doctor,” said Dr Munjal.

He advised patients to keep their sugar levels in control and keep checking the same on a regular basis.

Chief Secy holds online meeting on injection

Late on Sunday evening, an online meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan during which a discussion was held on the injection used in the treatment of black fungus. At present, the state has 111 cases of black fungus.

A six-member committee was formed to overview the usage of the injection in treating the fungus. It also has two city-based doctors, Manish Munjal, ENT expert from the DMCH, and Mary John, medicine expert from the CMCH. Members of the committee will decide which patient needs the injection according to their helath condition. During the meeting, possibility of a few other injections to be included in the line of treatment was also discussed. In the coming days, a few more companies will manufacture the injections after which their supply will be streamlined, said Mahajan.