At least 54 heat-related deaths in Quebec end

At least 54 people have died in the past six days, apparent victims of a heat wave that ravaged southern Quebec and lasted nearly a week.

According to the provincial Department of Health, 28 of these deaths were in Montreal, 10 more than what was reported on Thursday.

The distribution of deaths by region is as follows:

• Mauricie: 7
• Montreal: 28
• Laval: 1
• Lanaudière: 1
• Laurentides: 1
• Montérégie: 6 [19659005] Estrie: 9

In a press release, the ministry said that we expected an increase in the number of deaths due to the cost of heat, especially for the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Many of those who died were over the age of 65 and had a history of physical or mental health problems, which was more in line with those who were most at risk.

The effects of the heat wave can persist for 24 to 48 hours after the temperature returns to normal, the ministry said. The next update on the number of deaths is scheduled for Monday.

Environment Canada has lifted the heat warnings that had been in effect in the province for several days, even though temperatures are expected to rise to 29 ° C on Sunday and Monday.

According to Environment Canada's Serge Mainville, the weather will be much less humid than during this week's heat wave. "The higher temperatures and wet Sunday and Monday will affect mainly southern Quebec," said Mainville

Public health still in a state of alert

Despite the milder weather, Urgences-Santé will welcome more paramedics than usual .

According to the spokesperson of Urgences-Santé, Valérie Tremblay, the number of requests for paramedical personnel was higher, according to the spokesman of Urgences-Santé

[traduction] «For paramedics and the dispatchers, it is very difficult. Paramedics responded to 1,378 calls on Thursday, about 30% more than the average.

Public health officials in Montreal continue door-to-door checks today and will target the most vulnerable clients, according to o Mylène Drouin, Regional Director of the Montreal Public Health Service

"We Let's visit several rooming houses and possibly retirement homes to see how men are recovering, "Drouin said.

About 60% among those who died in Montreal, there were men who lived alone. None of them had air conditioning at home, and all lived in multi-story buildings, says Drouin.