Maricopa County announces first heat-related deaths of year
Jun 11, 2020, 5:31 PM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Maricopa County officials on Thursday announced its first heat-related deaths of the year.
The county announced a total of three deaths — a man in his 80s, a man in his 60s and an additional person who passed away in Maricopa County but lived in a nearby county.
“Even though much of our emphasis has been on slowing the spread of COVID-19, it is important that we remember to also take the precautions necessary to stay safe in our summer heat, “ Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, the county’s medical director for disease control, said in a press release.
Metro Phoenix has already experienced above-average high temperatures recently.
It hit 110 degrees in Phoenix for the first time in 2020 on May 29, tying the daily record when the high temperature reached 112 degrees.
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There were a total of 197 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County last year, according to the release.
Public health officials recommend staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks to avoid heat-related illness and potential death.
The high in Phoenix is expected to reach 109 degrees on Friday before dropping to 106 on Saturday and 105 on Friday.
