Alcohol-Related Deaths Rose to Nearly 500 per Day During COVID-19 Pandemic: CDC

General delays in seeking medical attention, stress, loneliness, social isolation, and mental health conditions might have contributed to the increase.

A recent Health Canada survey found Canadians support the labeling of beer, wine, and liquor with a health warning describing the known link between alcohol consumption and health risks. Johnny Green/PA

Deaths associated with excessive alcohol consumption surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, averaging about 488 per day, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The average number of alcohol-related deaths increased by 29 percent, to about 178,307 deaths in 2020–2021, from about 137,927 during 2016–2017, the CDC stated in a report published on Feb. 29.