Drinking Alcohol May Increase Chances Of Catching Coronavirus, WHO Warns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning that drinking alcohol may increase our chances of catching coronavirus.

In a report published on Tuesday, the European division on the official health body warned that booze could "exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence."

The new guidance explained that alcohol is associated with a range of diseases which can make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19.

"In particular, alcohol compromises the body's immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes," the report stated, adding the warning: "Therefore, people should minimise their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic."

As well as rubbishing the "dangerous myth" that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the COVID-19 virus, WHO urged the government to enforce measures to limit alcohol consumption.

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Carina Ferreira-Borges, Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Programme at WHO Europe, said: "Alcohol is consumed in excessive quantities in the European Region, and leaves too many victims.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, we should really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in terms of their health and the effects of their behaviour on others, including violence."

Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced lockdown on March 23rd, there has been a surge in alcohol consumption.

One in five drinkers - 8.6 million Brits - admitted to have been drinking more frequently since the lockdown according to alcohol charity Alcohol Change.

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Meanwhile, the charity has reported a 293 per cent increase in visits to its 'get help now' section compared with the same time last year, according to The Times.

However, Alcohol Change also report that one in three surveyed said they'd either stopped or reduced their drinking since lockdown.

It's clear quarantine is having a huge effect on how the nation drinks. If you are going to drink, just remember to drink safety.

For more information, help or advice, visit alcoholchange.org.

Topics: Life News, Coronavirus, Real Life

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance writer working for Tyla. After graduating with an English Lit and Media degree from the University of Sussex, Ciara held jobs at GLAMOUR and Yahoo Style before packing up for a solo travelling trip around South America.

@ciarasheppard