Covid, fungus concerns still haunt health officials

SNS SILIGURI, 28 JUNE 21 : The health department is concerned about the number of deaths of patients suffering from mucormycosis at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH).

Sources have said that around 17 residents of north Bengal, who had tested positive for mucormycosis, died at the NBMCH, the regional hub for the management of recalcitrant mucormycosis cases, in the last one month, raising questions on its infrastructure. Most of the deceased were either Covid-19 patients or had recovered from the virus.

"We are concerned about the number of mucormycosis cases. We are taking steps In view of the situation. We have experienced teams of doctors, and no problem with the infrastructure," said the officer on special duty for public health in north Bengal, Dr Susanta Roy.

The health department has cautioned that steroid abuse and uncontrolled diabetes are likely contributing to the mucormycosis outbreaks. However, it has been observed that despite the use of high doses of steroids in other diseases, mucormycosis could not be detected there. Similarly, many doctors said mucormycosis cases had been found also among Covid patients who did not use the steroids.

Concern over surge in Covid-19 cases

Health department officials have said that they were concerned about the rising trend of Covid -19 cases in Darjeeling district.

"There has been an upward trend of Covid-19 cases in the last few days. We are alert about the situation. People should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. There should be widespread Covid tests and people should take vaccines," said the district chief medical officer of health Dr Pralay Acharya.

The district is recording around 150 new cases daily for the past few days.

Dr Acharya pointed out to crowding in some areas by ignoring the physical distancing norm, while he appealed to people to go for tests.

"People with Covid symptoms should undergo tests, dropping any fear and hesitancy. The early detection of cases helps in starting early treatment. At the same time, following Covid protocols, people should undergo large-scale vaccination," Dr Acharya added.

According to him, the state government had laid stress on vaccinating mothers of children up to age 12 years on a priority basis.

Dr Acharya, however, said that the overall situation had improved to a large extent.

"In May, we had recorded around 5,500 patients in home isolation, but the number has come down to around 1,500-1,600. The occupancy rate at the NBMCH is now around 32- 40 percent, and in the three hospitals in Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kurseong the rate is around seven-eight percent. Around 30 patients are admitted in the hospital for Covid-19 patients at Triveni in the Hills, while there are around three-four percent of patients against 100 beds in safe homes," he added.

Meanwhile. Dr Roy said they were looking into the reasons for the increasing trend. Dr Roy said the health department was ramping up testing infrastructure in north Bengal and planning to scale up the tests.

"In every district, there will be a testing infrastructure of the RT-PCR-the standard and high-reliability diagnostic test. RT-PCR facilities are currently available at four medical colleges in the region. He said a liquid oxygen plant of 2000 liters per minute will be set up at the NBMCH soon.

Safe home at NBMCH

A 16-bed Covid safe home was opened at the North Bengal Dental College and Hospital (NBMCH). Dr Roy and NBMCH chairperson Dr Rudranath Bhattacharya inaugurated the safe home.

Also, NBMCH authorities today handed over certificates of appreciation to 150 healthcare workers, including lab technologists, medical technologists, and scavenging workers for relentlessly performing their duties amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

107 new Covid cases

Darjeeling district recorded 107 new Covid-19 cases today, while the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, including areas under Jalpaiguri district, found 49 positive cases, sources said.

Twenty-one cases were detected in Bijanbari, 11 in Sukna and Mirk 10 in Takdah, nine in Naxalbari, six each in Matigara and Phansidewa, five in Kharibari and one case in Darjeeling Municipality.

Meanwhile, 202 persons recovered in the past 24 hours in the district, the sources added.

Three Covid patients die

Around three persons, who had tested positive for Covid-19, died in the NBMCH today, sources said.