AgenciesKarnataka on Wednesday announced a new discharge policy for Covid patients, making it mandatory to get tested for black fungus infection and MRI scan if necessary, during the hospital discharge. The decision came in the backdrop of a rise in the number of black fungus cases among Covid recovered individuals.
The health department has directed all district hospitals to have a dedicated post-Covid ward. “All Covid recovered patients should either visit this ward a week after their discharge or avail service through tele-consultation to find any trace of fungal infections,” health minister K Sudhakar said.
The government will also contact Covid recovered persons for the first 15 days after their discharge from hospitals, and enquire about any symptoms of fungus infection. If symptoms are found, they will be asked to visit hospitals for further diagnosis, the minister said.
According to the preliminary report on black mucormycosis carried out by a team of doctors, cases are mostly found in small hospitals, taluk hospitals and in rare instances of home isolation.
“More clarity has emerged now on factors that cause black fungus infection. We have found that administering steroids in the first week of Covid treatment is one of the reasons for the infection,” Sudhakar said.
The government has now directed all hospitals that treat Covid patients to administer steroids only from the second week.
Karnataka has reported nearly 500 cases of mucormycosis. About 95 cases are treated at Bangalore Medical College. The preliminary report on the cause of infection shows, at least 75 of 95 patients at Bangalore Medical College have either uncontrolled diabetes or have been administered steroids.
The health department has directed all district hospitals to have a dedicated post-Covid ward. “All Covid recovered patients should either visit this ward a week after their discharge or avail service through tele-consultation to find any trace of fungal infections,” health minister K Sudhakar said.
The government will also contact Covid recovered persons for the first 15 days after their discharge from hospitals, and enquire about any symptoms of fungus infection. If symptoms are found, they will be asked to visit hospitals for further diagnosis, the minister said.
According to the preliminary report on black mucormycosis carried out by a team of doctors, cases are mostly found in small hospitals, taluk hospitals and in rare instances of home isolation.
“More clarity has emerged now on factors that cause black fungus infection. We have found that administering steroids in the first week of Covid treatment is one of the reasons for the infection,” Sudhakar said.
The government has now directed all hospitals that treat Covid patients to administer steroids only from the second week.
Karnataka has reported nearly 500 cases of mucormycosis. About 95 cases are treated at Bangalore Medical College. The preliminary report on the cause of infection shows, at least 75 of 95 patients at Bangalore Medical College have either uncontrolled diabetes or have been administered steroids.
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