Seven heat-related deaths reported in DC area

Seven people in Maryland and Virginia have died as a result of heat-related illness, according to state health officials.

Maryland announced its first heat-related death of 2024 at the beginning of June. The victim was a 59-year-old man in Prince George’s County.

Since then, the state has recorded five more heat-related deaths. Three of them also occurred in Prince George’s County, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health. The other two took place in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City.

Four of the people who died in Maryland were over the age of 65, according to the data.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health confirmed to the Washington Post on Wednesday that there has been one recent heat-related death. The state has also recorded more than 1,600 emergency department and urgent care visits for heat-related illness so far this year.

The Washington, D.C., area has been experiencing a severe heat wave since July 4, with Tuesday’s heat indexes reaching 110 degrees in the capital, according to Capital Weather Gang.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated an extended heat emergency through Thursday, with temperatures expected to drop briefly Friday.

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“With the heat index expected to exceed 100 degrees Monday through Thursday, residents and visitors are encouraged to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and to check on neighbors,” Bowser’s office said in an announcement.

D.C. residents should be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, including dry red skin, convulsions, throbbing headaches, disorientation, chills, delirium, and coma.