Heat wave kills at least 18 people in the province



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At least 18 people have died since the onset of the heat wave in southern Quebec, according to the most recent report from the Public Health Branch, only 12 of them in Montreal.

The City of Montreal Montreal and the Regional Directorate of Public Health also deployed Tuesday a series of emergency measures, such as police and fire-fighters door-to-door in vulnerable people and 19 air-conditioned drop-in in CLSCs.

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The heatwave would also have made five other victims in Estrie. The CIUSSS Mauricie-Center-du-Québec also recorded a first heat-related death on its territory.

"We can expect that it will not reduce in the coming days, hence the importance of in place measures to help the population to get through this heat wave, "says toxicologist Luc Lefebvre of the Regional Directorate of Public Health of Montreal. The overwhelming heat wave must continue until at least Thursday.

Victims in Montreal are very vulnerable, elderly or chronically ill or mentally ill and do not have air conditioning

None deaths had not yet been reported in the neighboring province of Ontario, which also experienced very high temperatures. In 2010, a heat wave caused the death of a hundred people in the Montreal area.
  

Tragic

"It's tragic," commented Premier Philippe Couillard, in a press briefing. We must expect that every year, we have this kind of episode. "

Tuesday, the mercury climbed to 32.9 ° C in downtown Montreal, the hottest point in Quebec according to Environment Canada. The worst day remains Sunday, when the mercury reached 36 ° C and the temperatures felt were 45, records.

On the other hand, the meteorologist Antoine Petit warns that another day as hot and humid will hit the province Thursday, before the heat wave dissipates.

For the moment, the city is not in "excess mortality", according to Public Health. On the other hand, the number of emergency calls and ambulances is on the rise.

A total of 641 ambulance transports were made Monday by Urgences-health, for more than 1200 calls received that day. On average, the medical aid service has about 540 transports per day and 950 to 1000 calls.

Same situation in Estrie, where the director of Public Health, Mélissa Généreux, underlines that at least six people have surrendered to emergencies for heat stroke since Saturday. In Montérégie, nine patients were taken by ambulance to a hospital for heat-related illnesses, according to spokeswoman Chantal Vallée.

Alert Mode

In addition, the Minister Delegate for Public Health, Lucie Charlebois , stressed that the entire health network is in alert mode to face the last two days of the heat wave.

The toxicologist Luc Lefebvre asks for the citizens to show social solidarity, inviting them to go to their neighbor's house and offer help if needed

Five Tips to Make it Happen

Drink plenty of water without waiting to get thirsty

Cool off often with a shower or a cool bath

Going to an air-conditioned or cool place for a few hours (shopping malls, libraries, movie theaters, Space for Life facilities, etc.)

Restricting Physical Activity

Wearing Clothing s light

– With the collaboration of Sarah-Daoust Braun, QMI Agency, AFP and TVA News

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