KOCHI: Ernakulam have so far reported 20 cases of mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, district health authorities have said. Eight among them have died of the infection. Among those who were infected, 10 were Ernakulam natives while the rest were from other districts. Sources said currently no patient is undergoing treatment for mucormycosis in the district.
“The district has reported only a few mucormycosis cases. Such cases were reported in the pre-pre-pandemic period too. Covid cases are also coming down in Ernakulam. Since we mostly conduct RT-PCR tests, the test positivity rate (TPR) will remain high. We are not worried about it. Our concern has been over hospital and ICU admissions. Thankfully, the numbers have been falling,” said a health official.
Meanwhile, according to the latest analysis submitted to the district administration on September 20, the pandemic has infected 14% of the population in the district. The report predicts that TPR will rise due to the changing patterns in tests.
Among the 4.1 lakh cases reported in the district in the past seven months, 7,987 were breakthrough infections.
The estimated ratio of “missing” cases in the district is 1:3. The report warns that the “missing” cases will continue to spread the infection in the society. About 72.66% of the population in Ernakulam has been vaccinated at least with one dose till September 20. Among them, 30.95% has been fully vaccinated.
