Health officials warn of use of pest control drug for COVID as Utah confirms 1,326 new cases

SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah hospital recently treated a patient who ingested “high doses” of ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug in an attempt to treat COVID-19, health officials said in a warning on Tuesday statewide.

“The patient suffered serious health effects,” the Utah Department of Health said.

The news comes as Utah continues to confirm high rates of new coronavirus cases on a daily basis. The state health department confirmed an additional 1,326 cases on Tuesday, as well as 25 deaths. The seven-day moving average for positive tests is now 1,464 per day, and the percent positivity rate of those tested stands at 13.8%.

“Ivermectin is not a COVID-19 drug; there is no data to suggest that this drug has an impact on COVID-19 infection. The continued promotion of the drug has led to an increase in the number of people purchasing veterinary ivermectin and hospitalized due to side effects of ingesting the drug, “health officials said in a statement.

The Department of Health noted that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Association of Poison Control Centers are seeing an increase in calls “related to severe side effects from ivermectin.”

State epidemiologist Dr Leisha Nolen urged doctors to “consider the damage they can cause” by providing the drug to patients with COVID-19.

“While there is no data showing that it helps with COVID-19, there is very strong data showing that it can harm. I also encourage pharmacists to question any prescription for ivermectin. in high doses inappropriate for their clients, ”said Nolen.

The treatment has been touted by some doctors who have offered alternative treatments for the disease. The controversial Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance has suggested its use, although it is not approved to treat COVID-19 by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Utah Poison Control Center recorded a 4.5 times higher ivermectin exposure rate this year compared to last year, and exposures from coronavirus treatment account for 56% of those exposures. according to the press release.

“Fifty percent of the people who called us after using ivermectin as a way to treat or prevent COVID-19 received medical help because of the exposure,” said Amberly Johnson, director of the Poison Control Center of Utah, in the release.

Those who have taken ivermectin and are concerned about side effects should call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If it is an emergency, dial 911.

The drug is used to treat roundworm infections in humans. A higher-dose veterinary version of ivermectin is used to treat horses and other animals for infections and “is not safe for humans,” health officials said.

“Recent spike in reports of ivermectin misuse is concerning. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food does not approve ivermectin misuse to treat COVID-19 and encourages individuals to consult a qualified health care provider before undergoing treatment, ”says Dr. Dean Taylor, state veterinarian.

Latest data from Utah

Of the cases reported Tuesday, 294 were confirmed as school-aged children – 121 cases were between 5 and 10 years old, 74 cases were between 11 and 13 years old and 99 cases were between 14 and 17 years old, said the Utah Department of Health.

Health workers have administered 9,764 vaccines since Monday’s report, bringing the total vaccinations given in Utah to 3,399,468 doses, the data showed.

In the past 28 days, unvaccinated residents faced 5.9 times the risk of dying from COVID-19, 7.2 times the risk of being hospitalized from the coronavirus, and 6.6 times more of risk of testing positive than those vaccinated, state health officials said in a statement. declaration.

As of February 1, unvaccinated residents are 4.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19, 5.1 times more likely to be hospitalized due to illness, and 4.4 times more likely to people only test positive for COVID-19, data shows. These statistics continue to change day by day, as more and more people continue to be vaccinated several months after they are made available to the public.

Since the vaccines became available earlier this year, the state has confirmed at least 15,179 breakthrough cases, 803 breakthrough hospitalizations and 92 breakthrough deaths. Cases are counted as a breakthrough if patients were fully vaccinated more than two weeks before testing positive for the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, 580 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Utah – an increase of three since the previous day. The state continues to see among the highest daily numbers of hospitalized coronavirus patients. The referral intensive care units that can treat the most seriously ill patients were 92.1% full of patients with coronavirus and others; overall intensive care use was 90.8%; and non-ICUs across the state were 58.7% full.

Deaths reported on Tuesday, including two before September:

• A man from Box Elder County, aged 65 to 84, who was hospitalized when he died.
• A Davis County woman, 45-64, hospitalized.
• A Davis County man, 45-64, hospitalized.
• Davis County man, 65-84, hospitalized.
• A man from Duchesne County, over 85, not hospitalized.
• A woman from Salt Lake County, over 85, residing in a long-term care facility.
• A woman from Salt Lake County, aged 65 to 84, a resident of a long-term care facility.
• A man from Salt Lake County, over 85, a resident of a long-term care facility.
• Three men from Salt Lake County, 65-84, hospitalized.
• A man from Sanpete County, 65-84, hospitalized.
• A Summit County man, 45-64, hospitalized.
• A man from Tooele County, 25-44, hospitalized.
• A man from Tooele County, over 85, not hospitalized.
• Two men from Uintah County, aged 25 to 44, one who was in a long-term care facility and one who was hospitalized.
• Two women from Utah County, both over the age of 85, one who was in long-term care and one who was hospitalized.
• A Utah County man, over 85, hospitalized.
• Two men from Washington County, aged 45 to 64, both hospitalized.
• A Washington County woman, 45-64, hospitalized.
• Two women from Weber County, aged 65 to 84, one who was in long-term care and one who was hospitalized.

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