Heatwave casualties: People rushed to hospital as temperatures near 50C
Sixteen people with heat-related conditions have presented at hospital emergency departments across South Australia with seven admitted for further treatment as the state’s record-breaking heatwave continues.
With Adelaide facing a third-straight day of temperatures above 40 degrees and regional centres pushing towards 50, health officials are bracing for more cases of heat stress.
Chief medical officer Paddy Phillips says with prolonged hot weather and especially when temperatures stay high overnight, people can get into trouble.
“Usually we see presentations at hospitals after a few days and we’re starting to collect that data,” Professor Phillips said.
Temperatures across South Australia are running 10 to 12 degrees Celsius above average, fuelled by a pool of hot air that has been circulating over inland Australia since November.
On Tuesday, Port Augusta posted a top temperature of 48.9, the highest recorded in the mid-north town.
In Tarcoola, further north, the mercury hit 49C, also beating the town’s previous record of 48.9C.
Both communities are forecast to experience similar conditions on Wednesday while a string of other towns will also have tops in the mid to high 40s.
Adelaide had already passed 41 degrees by 1.30pm on Wednesday, after similar maximums on Monday and Tuesday.
The past 4 days are in Australia's top 10 warmest days on record—and the trend looks like continuing today. The nights have been warm too, which is what defines #heatwave conditions https://t.co/u6dbfmKPk6 Stay cool, check on loved ones & follow advice from health authorities pic.twitter.com/8Qisw9m4LM
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 16, 2019
The severe weather has prompted warnings from emergency and health authorities for people to take care.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the impact on those most vulnerable, including the homeless, the elderly and those with medical conditions.
“Heat is the worst of our natural emergencies with excess hospital presentations, ambulance transfers and even people potentially dying,” Prof Phillips said.
SA’s State Emergency Service has issued an Extreme Heatwave Emergency Warning and the state government has declared a Code Red.
The Code Red triggers extra funding so services for the homeless can be extended while a special phone line will also operate for the next two days, providing regular checks on the elderly and others at risk.
