Portugal recorded an excess of deaths between July 7 and 18, corresponding to 1,063 deaths, due to extreme temperatures that have been experienced across the continent in recent days, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) said on Tuesday.
“From July 7 to July 18, 2022 inclusive, Portugal (mainland and islands) experienced excess deaths, totaling 1,063 deaths,” the health authority said in a statement, noting that these numbers are provisional and are updated.
DGS also recalled that there have been very high air temperatures since July 6, with a red hot weather warning issued for most parts of mainland Portugal, the highest on the scale.
“The extreme air temperatures observed in recent days (highs and lows) have a known potential health impact due to dehydration or chronic disease decompensation, among other factors,” the DGS warned. high air temperatures tend to be associated with periods of higher mortality than expected for that time of year.
According to DGS, current data available in weather forecasts indicate a drop in temperature, more pronounced at maximum temperatures.
“The benchmark predicted impact of high air temperatures on mortality, the ÍCARO index calculated by the Instituto Ricardo Jorge (INSA), could reach a maximum value of 0.11 on July 21, 2022 in the Portuguese mainland, which means a negligible impact on mortality,” put forward the DGS, which activated its contingency plan task force on July 5, and regional and local responses were also activated.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
