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June 29, 2021 - 4:34 PM
The number of deaths reported to the B.C. Coroners Service jumped by 100 in the four days from Friday through Monday.
“The coroners cervice would normally receive approximately 130 reports of death over a four-day period,” states a news release from the coroners service. “From Friday, June 25 through 3 p.m. on Monday, June 28, at least 233 deaths were reported. This number will increase as data continues to be updated.”
Burnaby RCMP reported earlier today, June 29, that they’ve responded to 25 sudden deaths since Monday, many of which are believed to be heat related.
READ MORE: Heat wave now linked to sudden deaths in Burnaby: RCMP
B.C. Emergency Health Services has responded to 534 heat related calls so far in June with 81 of those in the Interior Health region. By comparison, they responded to 14 such calls last June in all of B.C.
The calls included 248 heat related calls yesterday, June 28, 168 of which were for heat exhaustion and 80 for heatstroke. On Sunday, they responded to 140 calls, 107 for heat exhaustion and 32 for heatstroke.
“Environmental heat exposure can lead to severe or fatal results, particularly in older people, infants and young children and those with chronic illnesses,” the coroners service news release states.
“It is important that people are mindful of these risks and follow the guidelines shared last week by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, including to drink plenty of fluids, keep cool by finding an air-conditioned building or seeking out the shade and, most importantly, regularly checking on loved ones and neighbours.”
The coroners service continues to gather information on each death to determine what role excessive heat played.
For tips on how to stay cool, go here.
— This story was updated June 29, 2021 at 5 p.m. to add information from B.C. Emergency Health Services.
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