With the UK in its fourth week of lockdown, many bored Brits have found themselves reaching for a glass of wine more often than usual.
But a new report is urging the public to limit its alcohol intake amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The report, by the World Health Organisation, has warned that drinking alcohol could make any coronavirus symptoms worse.
It explained: “Alcohol is known to be harmful to health in general, and is well understood to increase the risk of injury and violence, including intimate partner violence, and can cause alcohol poisoning.
“At times of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence.
“WHO/Europe reminds people that drinking alcohol does not protect them from COVID-19, and encourages governments to enforce measures which limit alcohol consumption.”
The report highlights that consuming alcohol can compromise your immune system, which can make it harder to recover from viruses.
It explained: “Alcohol compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, people should minimise their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report comes amid several false stories circulating online, claiming that drinking high-strength alcohol can kill the virus.
WHO said: “Fear and misinformation have generated a dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the COVID-19 virus. It does not.
“Consuming any alcohol poses health risks, but consuming high-strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), particularly if it has been adulterated with methanol, can result in severe health consequences, including death.”
