BRANTFORD — Brant County’s Health Unit issued a public safety alert Friday — cautioning residents following a steep rise in opioid overdoses.
In July, Brantford Police say the number of overdoses has doubled from the previous month’s reported incidents. July saw 22 suspected opioid overdoses and 1 death — June saw a total of 12 overdoses. The average number of overdoses in the first six months of 2020 was 13.
BCHU says that fentanyl is suspected to be involved in most of the overdoses reported.
Now health officials are warning users to never use opioids alone, go slow with the substances. Also to know the source of where the substances are coming from and to carry naloxone.
Some of the symptoms of withdrawal and COVID-19 infection are similar. These include fever and muscle soreness. If symptoms include a persistent cough, it could be COVID-19.
In the case of an overdose, even if naloxone has been administered health officials say to call 9-1-1.
