Coronavirus: CDC warns against using aquarium cleaner to treat virus

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning against using chloroquine phosphate, a chemical commonly found in aquarium cleaner, to treat coronavirus.

A release said that the CDC was aware of two people who have ingested the cleaner. One died after arriving at the hospital and the other was critically ill with stomach and heart problems, but recovered. The person said that they consumed the chemical to avoid getting Covid-19 after seeing medical information about chloroquine phosphate on television.

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The chemical comes as a powder and was labeled “for ornamental fish use only,” the release said. The CDC stated that they are aware of unconfirmed reports that the aquarium cleaner was out of stock due to high public demand.

There are no FDA-approved pharmaceutical products available that can treat or prevent Covid-19, the CDC said, but there are a few medications are being evaluated as possible treatments.

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