New cases slow, black fungus a major worry

KURNOOL: Kurnool reported the lowest number of positive cases in the past two months at 286 on Tuesday. However, post-recovery, infections are spreading fast as 60 people are undergoing treatment for black fungus at KGGH. A fresh case of white fungus was also admitted recently.

Dr Bhagawan, the Deputy Superintendent of KGGH, said fungus cases were
arriving at the hospital regularly and there are about 60-70 such cases
undergoing treatment at the hospital. “This is a progressive disease. It
starts with white fungus in the early stage and matures in yellow and black
fungus stages,” he said. The mucormycosis can be managed well if the
Covid-recovered patients keep their blood glucose levels under check. A
separate ward for fungus cases is set up at the hospital, he said.

The doctor feels that the third wave is impending and it is widely predicted
that children may contract infections in this phase. Protecting children
from being exposed to the virus is the only preventive method available as
the vaccine is still far away from being administered to this age group, he
said.

DMHO Dr Rama Giddaiah said that though infections are coming down, the
recovery from post Covid is a prolonged affair. The third wave was likely to
hit children. They must be protected from consuming junk foods and other
pre-packaged foods as they contain different ingredients that may exacerbate
the infections, he added.

With regard to admissions, the number of new cases has come down from 150 to 50 days. Now there are about 750 patients undergoing treatment in the
hospital. At the peak of infections, KGGH had 1,400 patients. The capacity
expansion by erecting German hangars is also underway, he added.