Ottawa Public Health Updates for Feb. 9, 2023

Updated Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health on January 17, 2023. The report is designed to provide Canadians with current evidence-based recommendations on alcohol-related harms. The updated guidance states that consuming more than 2 standard drinks per occasion is associated with an increased risk of harms to self and others.

0 drinks per week — Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep. 
2 standard drinks or less per week — At this level people are likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for themselves or others. 
3–6 standard drinks per week — People have increases in health-related harms at this level. The guidelines indicate an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. 
7 standard drinks or more per week — The risk of heart disease or stroke increases significantly at this level. 
Each additional standard drink radically increases the risk of alcohol-related consequences.

For more information on resources, programming and treatment on mental health and substance use health, please visit: Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services and Resources - Ottawa Public Health.

End of Weekly Snapshot

We are ending the weekly snapshots. The last versions of the weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard will continue to be updated on our main respiratory virus activity webpage : www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport

Key Takeaways

· The downwards trends we’ve seen over the past few weeks continue to move in the right direction. It doesn’t mean we can let our guard down, but it is encouraging.

· It’s still important to use your layers of protection, especially as we move through the winter months. Masks, COVID-19 vaccines & boosters, flu vaccines, staying home when sick, they all work.

· As always, you can find info about eligibility & intervals for flu or COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 treatment options on our website OttawaPublicHealth.ca.