Hundreds of people are dead across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia as the northwest region and Canada face record heat waves this past week.
There have been at least 486 sudden deaths over the past five days in British Columbia, almost triple the number that normally would occur within the province. The figure is also nearly double the number of deaths recorded from last Friday to Monday, which saw 223 deaths in the region.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said the deaths in her province are expected to rise as local coroners enter more reports.
“We believe that heat is very likely a factor in many of those deaths, but that is to be confirmed,” Lapointe said in a Wednesday briefing, according to the CBC.
NEARLY 250 DEATHS REPORTED IN US AND CANADA AMID HISTORIC HEAT WAVE
Oregon health officials tied at least 63 deaths within five days to the extreme heat. Among them, 45 were in Multnomah County, which houses Portland. State officials are continuing to investigate deaths that occurred in recent days that could be linked to the heat.
Many of those who died were found alone, without air conditioning, fans, or other cooling methods, according to a statement released by Multnomah County.
“This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heat wave can be, especially to otherwise vulnerable people,” Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County Health Officer, said.
In Washington, at least 20 deaths have been linked to the heat, though officials predict that number will increase, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Cities across the northwest region and Canada have reached record temperatures that have hit over 110 degrees Fahrenheit over the past week. Localities have urged residents to stay inside as the heat remains on the rise.
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Some experts have suggested that the extreme heat could be linked to the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves,” Kristie Ebi, a professor in the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the University of Washington, told the New York Times. “When you look at this heat wave, it is so far outside the range of normal.”
