"Epidemic Within Pandemic": Karnataka Changes Steps To Fight Black Fungus

Karnataka will have a new COVID-19 discharge policy and post-Covid precautions in view of the rising cases of Black Fungus infection.

Karnataka has been hit with hundreds of cases of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus. The state is trying to change its approach to tackle this new challenge in the pandemic. After a meeting with experts, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said, "It has been found that administering steroids in the first week of treatment of COVID-19 is one of the main causes of Black Fungus infection. We need to avoid this and steroids should be administered only from second week." Patients who are being discharged after Covid treatment will also be checked for the presence of Mucormycosis. The minister said, "It has been decided to formulate a new discharge policy and post-Covid precautions for patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection." During discharge, Covid patients will be tested for any fungus infection and will also be given an MRI scan, if necessary.