The Assam Government has instructed all health institutes in the State to minimise the use of steroids for COVID-19 treatment to control the rise in black fungus cases.
Black Fungus is triggered by excessive use of steroids. COVID-19 patients are treated with heavy steroids and drugs like Tocilizumab that reduce the immune system of the body.
This drop in immunity triggers mucormycosis infection, commonly known as black fungus.
“We have issued fresh protocols instructing minimal use of steroid in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. As soon as the number of COVID cases decrease, we will be able to control black fungus cases also,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
CM Sarma added, “In Dibrugarh district, the positivity rate is 2%. However, the COVID-19 situation in Duliajan and Tengakhat is a matter of grave concern. We will review the situation again on Wednesday and take a decision.”
“If we can inoculate 15000 persons daily, then by July 7 we can expect some positive outcome,” CM Himanta Biswa Sarma added.
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Dibrugarh recorded its first case of black fungus, also known as Mucormycosis at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH).
The black fungus case was detected in the AMCH on Saturday.
This was the third case of black fungus detected in Assam after Guwahati and Silchar.
Black fungus was detected in a post-Covid19 patient at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH).
The 47-year-old male patient from Lakhimpur district was admitted to the AMCH on June 15 where he is undergoing treatment at Medicine Unit-1.
AMCH principal and chief superintendent Dr Sanjeeb Kakati said the patient is under advanced treatment and a team of doctors is monitoring his health condition.
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“This is the first case of black fungus at the Assam Medical College and Hospital. The patient was admitted on June 15. Earlier, he was undergoing treatment for Covid19 at the North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital. He was admitted with post-Covid19 issues including breathlessness and severe headache,” said Dr Kakati.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday, reviewed the COVID-19 situation in Dibrugarh district.
CM Sarma said that the Assam Government is planning to conduct 3 lakh vaccinations per day.