As widespread, dangerously hot conditions prevail, more than 80 million Americans remain under heat alert. Highs in the triple digits were expected for much of the Southwest area Saturday afternoon. Heat advisories are in effect for cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Palm Springs, California.
Heat-related ailments have increased as the United States bakes in a record-breaking summer, leading some hospitals to call in more personnel to manage an influx of patients. According to CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) data, the proportion of emergency-room visits related to heat increased dramatically in Texas and adjacent states beginning in June, with several weeks exceeding levels recorded last year. In other sections of the country, especially the Southwest, rates surged in late June and July.
Doctors in Arizona and Texas say this summer has been the worst yet, with more patients coming in and some needing treatment for severe diseases such as heat stroke, in which high body temperatures can damage important organs and occasionally lead to death. Temperatures have set monthly and all-time records across the country in the last month, with many regions reaching well beyond 38°C. According to the Climate Prediction Center, most of the United States will see warmer-than-normal temperatures through August 3.
In Phoenix, where temperatures were expected to reach 43°Celsius or higher for the 22nd day in a row on Friday, the Valley wise Health system has called in extra staff to manage their busiest day of patients since the outbreak.
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Summertime heat-related illnesses are "not an uncommon problem," according to Valley wise Chief Clinical Officer Michael White, "but the number of patients that we're seeing now with heat exposures has risen." This year, by July 15, at least 18 people died in Maricopa County as a result of heat-related conditions. Another 69 fatalities are being investigated.
In June, the Texas Health system's 20 emergency departments treated 181 patients who complained of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, the most for that month in data dating back to 2019.
According to experts, many individuals have very minor ailments such as heat exhaustion and sun rashes. Others who have suffered from severe heat stroke may be given IV fluids or wrapped in specially tailored cold bags.