Maricopa County investigating multiple potential heat-related deaths

PHOENIX – The heat in the Valley has proved to be deadly yet again.

Maricopa County is investigating 10 potential heat-related deaths that occurred over the past seven days.

Most of the deaths that are under investigation occurred in people aged 65 and older, a spokesperson with Maricopa County confirmed.

Three of the deaths were reported to be outdoors.

In collaboration with the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health releases weekly reports of heat-deaths.

The latest report from June 12 confirmed three heat-related deaths so far in 2021.

“What we are hoping to do is remind everyone that the heat is a serious hazard and now isn’t the time to test your tolerance,” Amy Bolton with Maricopa County told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health documented 323 heat-related deaths last year, the most since tracking started in 2001 and 62% more than in 2019.

Last year’s report indicated a majority of the heat-related deaths affected people that had lived in the Valley a long time.

“We don’t get used to the heat, it’s not something you acclimate to – those excessive heat warnings affect us all even if we’ve lived in the Valley for a long time,” Bolton said.

Locations of heat relief stations, basic heat tips, signs of heat illness and additional resources can be found online in both English and Spanish.

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