Close to a year after British Columbia’s famous “heat dome” drove the temperature in some areas to nearly 50C, the BC Coroner Service (BCCS) has determined a total of 619 deaths were linked to the event, most of whom were elderly..The findings were released Tuesday in a much-anticipated BCCS report, highlighting that 98% of the deaths occurred inside, and 67% of those dead were aged 70 or older.The report further notes that more than half of those who died lived alone and more than 60% had seen a medical professional within the month prior to the late June heat wave, which broke more than 100 provincial temperature records..“We are saddened by the confirmation that 619 people lost their lives due to heat during the unprecedented heat dome in summer 2021. Our hearts go out to the families and friends who continue to grieve the loss of a loved one,” reads a joint statement from government officials in response to the report..The report identified three “key” areas to prevent future heat-related deaths, beginning with the need for a coordinated heat alert response system, similar to the once announce by the province on Monday..The system is ready to be used this summer, officials say, and includes the potential to issue “broadcast-intrusive alerts” through Alert Ready to notify people about extreme heat emergencies..The report’s second recommendation is to identify and support vulnerable populations..In several instances during the event, 911 callers were told there was no ambulance available to help. In at least 50 instances, paramedics took longer than 30 minutes to arrive. In more than a dozen instances, 911 callers were put on hold for “an extended period of time.”.“The Ministry of Health is continuing to work on identifying and supporting populations most at risk of dying during extreme heat emergencies, such as people with chronic illnesses or who have limited mobility,” reads the government statement..The human body maintains a core temperature of approximately 36.6C, and significant changes in core temperature are hazardous to health, particularly for elderly people and those with health conditions. Heat stroke occurs when core temperature reaches 40 C..By June 28, 2021, temperatures in many parts of BC soared passed 40C, with little relief at night. From June 25 to July 1, the BCCS investigated more than 800 deaths, with 619 now being identified as heat-related..At the time, BC Premier John Horgan said “fatalities are a part of life,” for which he faced massive backlash, influencing him to later walk back his words..The report’s third recommendation is to implement “extreme heat prevention” and “long-term risk mitigation” by building homes properly equipped to deal with hot weather as opposed to the current building codes focusing on cold weather..The coroner’s death review panel is comprised of officials from Vancouver Coastal Health, the Ministry of Health, and more, including the deputy provincial health officer, Dr. Reka Gustafson who is second in charge to Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer..“After last year’s tragic heat dome, and the increasing impacts of climate change, it was clear we needed to work together to be prepared for heat events, particularly extreme heat emergencies, and we thank the Heat-Related Death Review Panel for its recommendations on how the provincial government can do that," reads a joint statement from minister of health Adrian Dix and safety minister Mike Farnworth.
Close to a year after British Columbia’s famous “heat dome” drove the temperature in some areas to nearly 50C, the BC Coroner Service (BCCS) has determined a total of 619 deaths were linked to the event, most of whom were elderly..The findings were released Tuesday in a much-anticipated BCCS report, highlighting that 98% of the deaths occurred inside, and 67% of those dead were aged 70 or older.The report further notes that more than half of those who died lived alone and more than 60% had seen a medical professional within the month prior to the late June heat wave, which broke more than 100 provincial temperature records..“We are saddened by the confirmation that 619 people lost their lives due to heat during the unprecedented heat dome in summer 2021. Our hearts go out to the families and friends who continue to grieve the loss of a loved one,” reads a joint statement from government officials in response to the report..The report identified three “key” areas to prevent future heat-related deaths, beginning with the need for a coordinated heat alert response system, similar to the once announce by the province on Monday..The system is ready to be used this summer, officials say, and includes the potential to issue “broadcast-intrusive alerts” through Alert Ready to notify people about extreme heat emergencies..The report’s second recommendation is to identify and support vulnerable populations..In several instances during the event, 911 callers were told there was no ambulance available to help. In at least 50 instances, paramedics took longer than 30 minutes to arrive. In more than a dozen instances, 911 callers were put on hold for “an extended period of time.”.“The Ministry of Health is continuing to work on identifying and supporting populations most at risk of dying during extreme heat emergencies, such as people with chronic illnesses or who have limited mobility,” reads the government statement..The human body maintains a core temperature of approximately 36.6C, and significant changes in core temperature are hazardous to health, particularly for elderly people and those with health conditions. Heat stroke occurs when core temperature reaches 40 C..By June 28, 2021, temperatures in many parts of BC soared passed 40C, with little relief at night. From June 25 to July 1, the BCCS investigated more than 800 deaths, with 619 now being identified as heat-related..At the time, BC Premier John Horgan said “fatalities are a part of life,” for which he faced massive backlash, influencing him to later walk back his words..The report’s third recommendation is to implement “extreme heat prevention” and “long-term risk mitigation” by building homes properly equipped to deal with hot weather as opposed to the current building codes focusing on cold weather..The coroner’s death review panel is comprised of officials from Vancouver Coastal Health, the Ministry of Health, and more, including the deputy provincial health officer, Dr. Reka Gustafson who is second in charge to Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer..“After last year’s tragic heat dome, and the increasing impacts of climate change, it was clear we needed to work together to be prepared for heat events, particularly extreme heat emergencies, and we thank the Heat-Related Death Review Panel for its recommendations on how the provincial government can do that," reads a joint statement from minister of health Adrian Dix and safety minister Mike Farnworth.
