Mumbai is finally about to be free of mucormycosis—a rare fungal infection, also known as black fungus, which saw a sudden rise during the second wave of COVID-19 in recovered patients—with only two active cases remaining in the city. As per data provided by the state health department, there were 739 cases in Mumbai city and 237 cases in the suburbs so far. 

Subhod Kumar (name changed), 37, is one of the two active patients and is undergoing treatment at RN Cooper Hospital. Dr Vinod Geete, ENT surgeon and associate professor at the hospital, said, “It’s been around 15 days since he was admitted. He has to stay for at least 2-3 weeks.” Dr Geete added, “In the third wave, we witnessed fewer cases of mucormycosis compared to the second wave. Most of the patients come with complaints of swollen eyes, face, nose bleeding.”