With the usual spate of 90 degrees days behind us and no end in sight, the Maryland Health Department issued its year-to-date report on the state’s heat related deaths and illnesses.
As of July 27, at least 967 people sought medical care due to heat related illnesses. That number exceeds the 900 ER visits posted in 2019, the first year data was gathered. It also bests the 901 visits documented for the entire summer season of 2019.
Heat related deaths in the state are also on the rise with 14 reported so far this year. That number tops the past two years combined. All of the deaths occurred among people 45 and older with 11 of the 14 being men.
The Department points out hyperthermia may not be the main cause of these deaths, as often underlying conditions also contribute to the fatality.
According to general statistics laid out by the Health Department men of color aged 65 plus would appear to be the most vulnerable among our population.
So far, the “Maryland Heat Season”, as designated by the Department, has claimed two lives in Montgomery County.
