1,858 black fungus cases so far in city; 686 active as on Aug. 5

The national capital has so far recorded 1,858 mucormycosis (black fungus) cases, 686 of which were active as on August 5, the Delhi health department said on Sunday.

It said in a statement that the city has been allocated a total of 51,540 vials of Amphotericin-B for the treatment of the disease, out of which 42,960 vials “have been received and distributed to hospitals, and 8,080 vials are awaited”.

“(The) Government of India has now discontinued the allocation and directed all State Governments to procure Amphotericin B Injection from the manufacturers directly as per their requirement,” the statement said.

The Delhi government has also procured 26,700 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin B and 25,000 vials of Amphotericin B Lipid Complex, it said.

“Private hospitals are also now procuring directly from manufacturers,” the statement added.

Delhi reported 66 Covid19 cases and zero deaths while the positivity rate stood at 0.10 per cent, according to data shared by the health department on Sunday. With the new cases, the tally of viral infection in the city so far has climbed to 14,36,761. Of this, over 14.11 lakh patients have recovered from the disease. The death toll now stands at 25,066.

Forty-five PSA oxygen plants of 55.46 metric tonne (MT) capacity have been commissioned in government hospitals in the national capital as part of the preparations for a possible third wave of Covid-19, health officials have told the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

According to the officials, around 160 PSA oxygen generation plants with a total capacity of 148.11 MT are being installed at various government and private hospitals in the city.

While 66 plants are being installed in Delhi government hospitals, 10 are being set up in Central government hospitals and 84 in private healthcare facilities.