Arizona Man Dies Taking Fish Tank Chemical To Prevent Coronavirus
This article originally appeared on the Phoenix Patch
PHOENIX, AZ — A Phoenix-area man died Monday after ingesting chloroquine phosphate, thinking it would protect against the new coronavirus, reports say. He and his wife both took the chemical after hearing President Donald Trump tout a version of it as a possible treatment, NBC News reported.
One version of the chemical is often used to clean fish tanks, reports say, and the couple noted that they had some. "I saw it sitting on the back shelf and thought, 'Hey, isn't that the stuff they're talking about on TV?'" the man's wife told NBC.
The woman was most recently listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery, Banner Health told Patch.
NBC reported the couple equated the chemical in their home with hydroxychloroquine, a chemical found in an anti-malaria drug.
Dr. Daniel Brooks of Banner Health said in a statement he understands that people are trying to find ways to prevent the virus. However, he said, "self-medicating is not the way to do so," adding that he urges people not to find a "vague and risky solution."
Trump falsely stated in a news conference that chloroquine had been approved by the FDA to treat patients infected with coronavirus. In fact, the AP said in its regular fact-checking feature, it hasn't.
"We are strongly urging the medical community to not prescribe this medication to any non-hospitalized patients," the statement from Banner Health said.
French doctors are testing hydrochloroquine alongside the antibiotic azithromycin. Early reports of the testing have been promising in the battle against coronavirus, Business Insider reported, though the study is small.
Trump tweeted the combination of these drugs must be put to use "immediately," saying they "have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine."
The woman who lost her husband is now warning others not to self medicate. "Be careful and call your doctor," she told NBC.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused over 17,000 deaths worldwide and 593 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. Arizona has seen 235 cases of the coronavirus and three deaths.
Banner Health told Patch they have "adequate space" and a total of 5,119 licensed hospital beds in Arizona. Phoenix and Tucson will need more beds, however, according to ProPublica reporting.
Banner added that their stock of medical equipment is also adequate, "but we are closely monitoring and identifying innovative solutions and partnerships to maintain supply."
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