Spike in Ottawa drug overdoses continues through weekend

Ottawa Public Health is reporting seven more visits to the city's emergency departments due to life-threatening or potentially life-threatening drug overdoses on Sunday, bringing the weekend total to 13.

Figures released by OPH and the Ottawa Hospital show there were at least 28reported overdoses from Tuesday to Sunday.

• Ottawa Hospital sees spike in suspected fentanyl overdoses
• 6 new cases of potential opioid overdoses reported in Ottawa over the weekend

Previous updates from the agency suggestedopioids such as fentanyl were to blame for the spike, andissued a warningabout counterfeit drugscut with powerful opioids.

Ottawa Public Health spokesperson Donna Casey said Monday the Ottawa Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force tracks emergency room data so it can respond to sharp increases in overdose-related hospital visits.

The health agencyissuedan alert Fridayto remindthe public of the risks involved in getting drugs from non-medical sources.