Ministry of Health points out that the phenomenon mainly affects people over 65 years of age (85% of cases) and points to a 40% increase in deaths at home alone
French authorities released this Sunday a first assessment of victims associated with extreme heat in the country and recorded 1,000 more deaths than normal since Wednesday, coinciding with the middle of the heat wave.
“Since June 24, around 1,000 additional deaths have been observed – unconsolidated numbers – compared to deaths recorded in previous months”, announced the French national public health agency.
This body from the Ministry of Health pointed out that the phenomenon mainly affects those over 65 years of age (85% of cases), while also pointing out a 40% increase in deaths at home alone.
France today returns to more breathable temperatures after 11 days of a historic heat wave, already considered more intense than the emblematic episode of 2003, but the delayed effect of the heat on organisms keeps hospitals under severe strain and raises fears of a high mortality rate.
No numerical balance had been given so far, but Health Minister Stéphanie Rist had already warned on Saturday that a “higher than normal” number of deaths was being observed.
In this context, the report from the French national public health agency gives a first idea of this mortality, even if it remains very partial.
The public health agency began observations from Wednesday, the date on which the heat wave intensified with temperatures exceeding 40°C across the territory.
“More than 1,200 deaths – from all causes – were recorded on June 24th and more than 1,400 daily deaths on June 25th and 26th”, explains the agency.
“For comparison, there were around 900 to 1,000 deaths per day in April/May”, he adds.
In total, since Wednesday, this already indicates about 1,000 more deaths than average, even if they are not officially attributable to the heat.
But the toll will likely be heavier, as some effects sometimes take days to be felt.
The increase in deaths affects “all age groups, remembering that the effects of the heat wave can affect the entire population”, states the agency.
“However, 85% of the deaths observed concern people aged 65 or over.”
Mainly, “a particularly sharp increase in deaths at home is observed – of the order of 40% -, especially in Île-de-France”, notes the agency, a phenomenon already mentioned by health authorities.
