As temperatures soared across the state this week, so did the number of people seeking hospital care for heat related illness.
For several days before the heat wave hit, hospitals planned for the possible increased needs and worked with each other and community organizations to prepare. With the surge of patients across the state, hospitals are adjusting to maintain capacity for urgent health care needs. For some hospitals, this means transferring patients, for others it may be delaying some planned procedures for a day or two.
While the highest temperatures have passed, the impact will be felt by area hospitals for several days to come. We encourage people to continue to seek routine care and alert their care providers to any new or worsening symptoms to avoid becoming an emergency patient. With the on-going pandemic response and this week’s heat wave, hospitals remain stressed, but are working together to ensure continued access to care across the state.
As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend with continued warm weather, we urge people to pay close attention to public health guidance regarding how to stay safe during the excessive heat and to be particularly mindful of the high fire risk we are experiencing. We hope everyone has a safe holiday!
