Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) on Wednesday said in a statement that the number of black fungus cases has crossed the “3-digit mark”, with “over 20 cases” being reported daily.

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“We’ve made mucor wards separately at AIIMS Trauma centre & AIIMS Jhajjar,” said Professor MV Padma Srivastava, Head of Department of Neurology at AIIMS Delhi, in a statement to ANI.

According to Srivastava, the index of suspicion of contracting black fungus is very high because of low immunity. In case a diabetic person gets infected with COVID-19, their sugar has to be strictly monitored, with “rational use of steroids”.

The overuse of steroids in COVID-19 patients, especially in people with comorbidities like diabetes, is said to be the main reason for the current high number of black fungus cases in India.

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ANI reported earlier in the day that mucormycosis cases i.e. black fungus are being frequently reported in Delhi, with over 130 cases of the fungal infection in the national capital.

In total, 75-80 cases have been reported at AIIMS, 50 at Max hospitals, and 10 cases have been recorded at Indraprastha Apollo hospitals of Delhi, as per ANI.

It also reported 40 patients with mucormycosis at Sir Gangaram Hospital of New Delhi, while 16 others were on the waiting list for beds.

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Many states, including Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, have recorded cases of the fungal infection caused by the steroid administered during the treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Black fungus has been known to infect the eyes, lungs, and brain, and if left untreated, it can be fatal. The use of immunosuppressants such as steroids, elevated blood sugar levels, and a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit are all risk factors, according to a Union Health Ministry advisory.

According to the Union Health Ministry, people who are either recovering or have recovered from COVID-19 have been contracting black fungus more than the general population.