As many as 178 deaths and 1,747 cases registered in Nagpur district so far

NAGPUR district, in particular, has earned quite a good name in Maharashtra for effective handling of COVID-19 pandemic and stabilisation of the situation over the past few weeks. However, it has also earned the dubious distinction of topping the State in number of Mucormycosis cases and deaths.

As per the State Government’s official data up to August 10, 2021, Maharashtra recorded total 9,846 cases of Mucormycosis (popularly referred to as Black Fungus).

The State reported 1,277 deaths up to August 10. Of these, as many as 15.56 per cent of the cases have been reported in Nagpur district alone. The district has also reported 12.21 per cent of total deaths in Maharashtra, due to Mucormycosis.

As far as Vidarbha region is concerned, it has reported total 2,473 cases and 228 deaths up to August 10, reveals the official data.

Considering the district-wise official data up to August 10, Nagpur is ahead of even Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai, the State capital and commercial capital of the country, has the highest population in the State but it has reported only 671 cases of Mucormycosis. While, Pune, the second most populated district in the State, has reported 1,326 cases. Nagpur district, which is Second Capital of Maharashtra, has reported not only the highest number of Mucormycosis cases but also the second highest number of deaths in the State. Pune has reported 179 deaths, Nagpur has reported 156, and Mumbai has reported 135 deaths up to August 10.

Though the COVID-19 cases are steadily on the lower side in Nagpur district for the past few weeks, the impact on immunity and aggressive use of steroids have affected the patients with Mucormycosis post-COVID. The data with the State Government is up to August 10. However, as per the data released by the district administration as on Friday (August 13) evening, the number of Mucormycosis cases reported in Nagpur district stood at 1,747. The number of deaths also stood at 178.

Most of the cases and deaths have been reported from private hospitals in the district, as per the district administration’s data. Of total 1,747 cases up to Friday, 1,138 have been reported from private hospitals, with three new cases reported on Friday itself. Similarly, of total 178 deaths reported by the administration up to Friday, 130 have been reported from private hospitals and 48 from Government hospitals in the district.

There is a brighter side, too, to the story. Of total 1,747 cases reported till Friday, as many as 1,538 have been discharged from the hospital, including 1,039 from private hospitals and 499 from Government hospitals in Nagpur district. So far, surgical outcomes have been reported in 1,396 of total cases including 918 in private hospitals and 478 in Government hospitals, reveals the district administration’s data released on Friday.

As far as Vidarbha region is concerned, only Bhandara district has reported no death due to Mucormycosis, as per the official data up to August 10.

Since the decline in number of new cases of COVID-19 and improvement in recovery, healthcare system and common people have been talking about Mucormycosis or Black Fungus cases. Central Government had to issue guidelines to State Governments and Union Territories regarding Mucormycosis management. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, factors leading to Mucormycosis infection include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, co-morbidities post transplant/malignancy, and Voriconazole therapy.