New data from the Maryland Department of Health reveal that all of the state’s heat-related deaths have occurred in Prince George’s County, prompting urgent warnings from local health officials as the extreme heat persists.
In June, the health department reported the state’s first heat-related death — a 59-year-old man. As of today, four men, all above the age of 45, have died due to the heat.
On Tuesday afternoon, FOX 5 Meteorologist Mike Thomas reported that the heat index peaked at over 110 degrees. “Look at Quantico right now – it feels like 114. This is not the desert Southwest; this is the DC area,” he said.
Such high temperatures can be deadly. As residents try to stay cool, local leaders emphasize the dangers of extreme heat. “It’s important that we remind our residents to stay hydrated, stay inside, and if you can’t stay inside due to other circumstances, go to a library or community center,” said Prince George’s County Councilmember Edward Burroughs III.
Burroughs highlighted that the county has over 20 cooling centers available for residents. “The goal is to ensure we provide resources to people to prevent any more deaths in the county,” said Dr. Matt Levy, the Health Officer for Prince George’s County.
Dr. Levy urged people who must be outside to recognize signs of heat illness. “You might turn red, feel dizzy, weak, or faint,” he said. “Those are early signs. Your heart rate might increase, you might get confused, and then lose consciousness.”
Most importantly, he stressed the need to look out for one another. “These tragedies are avoidable, and we must do everything we can to prevent them from continuing throughout the summer. The summer just started,” Burroughs added.
The state has also reported hundreds of people visiting emergency rooms with heat-related illnesses, with a significant increase in patients starting in June.
