With record heat waves continuing, 186 heat-related illness cases occurred nationwide in a single day, the most this year. Two additional presumed deaths from heat-related illness were also added.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Aug. 4, 186 people with heat-related illness visited medical institutions participating in the national emergency department surveillance system the previous day. It was the highest single-day total this year, and it was also the first time this year that the daily number exceeded 100 for three straight days.
There were two presumed deaths from heat-related illness the previous day. In Wanju, North Jeolla, a woman in her 90s and a man in his 80s collapsed in a paddy field and by the roadside, respectively, and died. The agency said both had underlying conditions.
As a result, based on the heat-related illness surveillance system in operation since May 15, cumulative patients rose to 2,221 and deaths to 19. The death count includes one case that occurred on July 15 but was reported later.
By region, Gyeonggi reported the most with 39, followed by Seoul (23), South Gyeongsang (21), Gwangju–South Jeolla (18), Incheon (15), and South Chungcheong (13).
This year, men accounted for 76.7% of heat-related illness cases, and by age, those 65 and older made up the largest share at 33.8%.
By type, heat exhaustion was most common at 61.5%, followed by heat stroke (16.8%), heat cramps (11.5%), and heat syncope (8.9%). Most cases occurred outdoors—outdoor worksites (25.4%), paddy fields (13.6%), and roadsides (12.3%)—but a notable number also occurred in indoor worksites (7.3%) and dwellings (6.9%).
The agency urged people to avoid outdoor activities at midday and to drink plenty of fluids as the heat wave continues, asking the public to follow heat illness prevention guidelines.