Patients within six weeks of COVID treatment are at the highest risk of black fungus, said senior neurosurgeon at AIIMS. Speaking to ANI, Professor of Neurosurgery at AIIMS, Dr P Sarat Chandra said, "Fungal infections are not new. But it has never happened in epidemic proportions. We do not know the exact reason why it is reaching epidemic proportions but we have reason to believe that there could be multiple reasons." "One of the most important reasons is uncontrolled diabetics, systemic use of steroids along with tocilizumab, patients on ventilation and taking supplemental oxygen. Within six weeks of COVID treatment if people have any of these factors they are at the highest risk of black fungus," pointed out Dr Chandra.