Nine Network, a major Australian commercial free-to-air television network, apologized for mistakenly implying that Queen Elizabeth II was being given Ivermectin, a drug designed for animals, to treat her infection.
The alleged error has already garnered support and has been boosted by anti-vax and anti-lockdown groups that believe Ivermectin to be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19. However, it has already been labeled as "ineffective" by Australia's chief medical officer.
Queen's Use of Ivermectin?
On Monday night, A Current Affair (ACA), a TV program, broadcast a segment talking about the monarch's coronavirus diagnosis. The footage featured Dr. Mukesh Haikerwal, a Victorian GP and former Australian Medical Association leader. He has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response in the region, including leading testing and vaccination clinics in Melbourne's west.
Haikerwal discussed how drug treatments benefited elderly patients who contracted the coronavirus during the segment. The program showed stock images of vials of sotrovimab, an intravenous monoclonal antibody treatment used for high-risk cases.
Shortly after, the video switched to a medication box with a label reading, "stromectol, containing 3mg ivermectin." Haikerwal said that during his remarks, he did not mention any specific treatment and explicitly ruled out the recommendation of Ivermectin for coronavirus patients, as per The Guardian.
The medical professional argued that Ivermectin was never even part of the conversation on the program. He added that what he said was that various medications were available for people who are vulnerable to the disease.
Buckingham Palace was the first to announce that the Queen had tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. Authorities said that the monarch was experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, adding that the 95-year-old would continue carrying out her duties.
According to Fox10 Phoenix, the palace added that the Queen would focus on "light" duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week while monitoring her health. They said that professionals will continue providing medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines in a statement.
Positive Coronavirus Test
It was also noted that the Queen's eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 10 after meeting his mother on Feb.8. Many people believed that many people at Windsor Castle had contracted the virus.
The palace issued a congratulatory message on Sunday from the Queen sent to the Team GB Curling teams. The monarch heralded the teams' "outstanding performance" at the Winter Olympics, where women managed to win a gold medal and men acquired a silver medal.
The monarch also said that she was aware that people from local communities and throughout the United Kingdom were sending good wishes to the Queen. Additionally, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he wished Her Majesty a swift recovery from the infection.
Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, the opposition leader, also wished the Queen "good health and a speedy recovery. The monarch's positive coronavirus test comes days before England is expected to drop the legal requirements to self-isolate for people who have become infected, as the last of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are removed, as BBC reported.
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