COVID Patient at Center of Ivermectin Debate at Chicago-Area Hospital Dies

Veronica Wolski, 64, was known for documenting demonstrations she held on a bridge over the Kennedy Expressway on YouTube

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A coronavirus patient at the center of a debate after she requested to be treated with a controversial drug used in veterinary medicine called ivermectin has passed away, officials said.

Veronica Wolski, who was known for documenting demonstrations she held on a bridge over the Kennedy Expressway on YouTube, died early Monday morning, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Her cause of death was pending an autopsy.

Wolski, 64, often shared beliefs against the coronavirus vaccine and mask-wearing.

"I have never once worn a mask. I have called the police on people that tried to make me wear masks," she said in one of her videos.

Wolski's hospitalization had made headlines this month after her husband and supporters on various social media platforms said she had requested to be treated with ivermectin at Resurrection Medical Center in Norwood Park.

AMITA Health confirmed at the time that staff at the hospital received "hundreds of phone calls and emails associated with one patient's care."

Ivermectin is a parasite medicine typically used on horses and cattle.

The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals, though the drug is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.

The FDA says taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous and clinical trials assessing the tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.

"I am a little surprised I guess that there are people who want to take a veterinary medicine that is not FDA approved, but then don’t want to take the vaccine that has had really widespread human trials and is approved," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said during a Facebook Live last week.

The city's top doctor warned the drug is leading to hospitalizations and not being used correctly.

"[People are] taking doses that are dosed for horses or cows and we have seen people have liver problems, nausea, all kinds of issues," she said. "I want to be really, really, really clear that in no case should anybody try to take a veterinary formula ever of any medication."

The drug is at the center of a national debate and in a number of lawsuits, including in Springfield, where a Sangamon County judge blocked a man from receiving ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

Ivermectin has been promoted by Republican lawmakers, conservative talk show hosts and some doctors, amplified via social media to millions of Americans who remain resistant to getting vaccinated. It has also been widely used in other countries, including India and Brazil.

Federal health officials have seen a surge in prescriptions this summer, accompanied by worrying increases in reported overdoses. The drug was even given to inmates at a jail in northwest Arkansas for COVID-19, despite federal warnings against that use.

Earlier this month, podcaster Joe Rogan, who has been dismissive of the COVID-19 vaccine, announced he had tested positive for the virus and was taking the medication.

AMITA Health confirmed to NBC 5 earlier this month that it was not administering ivermectin and released the following statement in regards to Wolski's case:

"At AMITA Health, our first priority is the health and safety of our patients. Our physicians and clinicians follow the full guidance of the FDA and the CDC in the treatment of COVID-19. And while AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center has received hundreds of phone calls and emails associated with one patient’s care, we have simply and respectfully noted the concerns shared."

The hospital declined to comment following Wolski's death.

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