COLUMBUS – The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has seen another surge in overdose deaths during a period of less than 24 hours.
Five overdose deaths were recorded in about 20 hours between 7:52 Monday morning and 4:35 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Dr. Anahi Ortiz said.
The coroner’s toxicology team is conducting initial testing to determine if the deaths are fentanyl-related.
The deaths occurred in four different areas on the North, Northeast, East and Southeast Sides, Ortiz said.
Ortiz says anyone with family or friends who might be at risk for an overdose should try to have the anti-overdose drug to have Naloxone available. The general public can obtain naloxone at any pharmacy without a prescription, at a cost, or by using their health insurance.
Franklin County Public Health along with Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) will also provide free naloxone with training.
Other distributors of naloxone can be found through the Columbus Public Health website.
Ortiz reported five overdose deaths within a 17-hour period Jan. 10-11.