Background: According to WHO, the prevention and control of an epidemic and pandemic constitutes following preventive measures like hand washing, cough etiquette and dissemination of knowledge among other measures. In context to COVID-19, these measures have been proved to be very effective rendering various countries to be free of COVID-19. The knowledge, attitude and practice studies play an important role in assessing the societal readiness to accept behavioural changes, moreover they also determine baseline information to assess the actions to be taken to change the attitude and increase the knowledge of the people regarding the situation. Thus this study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the common public in India.Methods: A cross sectional survey was done among the attenders of patients visiting the cardiac/CTVS OPD during the month of June to July.  A total of 200 patients attendants were enrolled in the study. Due to COVID-19 restrictions only 10 patients per day were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent an online questionnaire was sent to their mobile phones via electronic media and participants were requested to fill the questionnaire while waiting for the doctor’s visit. The knowledge, attitude and practice of the participants were assessed by a validated KAP survey questionnaire.Results: The participants had a good knowledge score. The mean knowledge score (minimum, maximum) among the population was 7.7±1.7 (0, 11) though the participants had a poor practice score of 2.3±1.01 (0, 4). The participants had a positive attitude regarding the preventive practices regarding COVID-19 and also a positive attitude towards health care workers. The mean attitude score was 21.3±3.5 (5, 25). A significant positive correlation (r=0.263) was found between knowledge and practice scores. A significant association was also found in between the age with attitude and practice scores, and also in between qualification with knowledge and total KAP score.Conclusions: The present study concludes that people have good knowledge regarding the various aspects of COVID-19, also there was positive correlation of knowledge with practice. Hence it is important to disseminate right knowledge regarding the pandemic COVID-19 so that general public performs the appropriate practices in order to keep themselves and their near ones safe. This study reflects the awareness of general public in the difficult time, as well as their helping attitude towards healthcare professionals in form of providing accommodation etc. Community awareness, participation and preparedness are key factors in achieving a good health for all.

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Mucormycosis is caused by the fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. There has been an increasing trend of rising fungal infection during the second wave of COVID in India, seen among patients recovering from COVID-19. A 37-years-old middle-aged adult, with the diagnosis of left paranasal sinus mucormycosis, left side pneumothorax (intercostal drainage tube in-situ) with COVID pneumonia reported to the emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic in our hospital in India. The patient presented in the ED on oxygen support via a non-rebreathing mask at rate of 10 l/min with a history of progressive left eye redness, pain, and tenderness, periorbital swelling, sudden onset, and mild shortness of breath from 8 days. The patient had a history of taking steroids during the management of COVID-19, also had left intercostal drainage tube (ICD) in-situ, and underwent post endoscopic sinus surgery in the private hospital. The patient was clinically examined by multispeciality experts and subjected to laboratory investigations. The patient was diagnosed with left PNS mucormycosis and planned for debridement. The patient developed renal failure secondary to antifungal therapy had sudden deterioration and could not be saved. The mortality rate of mucormycosis is very high due to delayed presentation, toxicity associated with the antifungal therapy, etc. There is a need to identify risk factors, perform specific laboratory tests, and initiation of prompt treatment. Monitoring and competent nursing care are required during antifungal therapy and prolonged hospital stay.