With the heat wave continuing nationwide, more than 200 people a day with heat-related illnesses have been visiting emergency rooms.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 8th, 202 people with heat-related illnesses were tallied at more than 500 emergency rooms nationwide the previous day, and 3 of them died. By region, Gyeonggi had the most with 68 cases, followed by Seoul with 35.
Men accounted for 76.8% of cumulative patients, and those 65 and older made up 35.1%. By condition, heat exhaustion was the most common at 61.4%, followed by heatstroke at 18.0% and heat cramps at 10.8%.
A total of 74.9% of patients were affected outdoors. Outdoor worksites were the most common at 25.1%, and patients were also reported along roadsides and in fields. Cases that occurred at home accounted for 8.9%.
Until mid last month, the daily figure was below 50, but since this month, more than 100 people with heat-related illnesses have been reported each day. From the 3rd to the 5th of this month, the counts were 208, 211, and 223, topping 200 for three straight days, dipped to 194 on the 6th, then climbed back above 200 a day later.
From May 15, when this year's heat-related illness surveillance system began operating, to the present, cumulative patients total 3,089 and cumulative deaths total 26.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency advised people to cut back on outdoor activities during continued heat waves and to drink water frequently even if they do not feel thirsty. If going out is unavoidable, it is best to wear light, loose clothing and avoid direct sun with a parasol or hat.