For Immediate Release
Heat-Related Illness Continues to Rise
With a National Weather Service heat advisory in effect in Greene County until 8 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 2, the following is an update on local and statewide heat-related illness totals.
In Greene County, there have been at least 178 cases of heat-related illnesses in local emergency rooms from June 1 through Wednesday, Aug. 1. Of those, 43 were admitted to hospitals. Statewide, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed reports of 1,034 heat-related emergency department visits from May 1, 2012 through Aug. 1, 2012, including 28 deaths related to the heat. No deaths related to heat have been confirmed in Greene County. The spike in local cases since the last update earlier this week is due to a backlog in reported cases coming from hospitals.
Today is the 20th day this summer that Greene County has been under a NWS heat advisory. The latest local heat-related illness totals, as well as information about the signs and symptoms of heat illness and safety tips, are available online at: http://health.springfieldmo.gov/heat
In Springfield, the following locations continue to serve as designated public cooling centers during each building’s normal business hours during the heat advisory through Tuesday:
- American Red Cross, 1545 N. West Bypass
- Ozarks Technical Community College (Commons), 933 E. Central St.
- Salvation Army, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway
- YMCA, 1901 E. Republic Road
- YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave.
- Chesterfield Family Center lobby, 2511 W. Republic Road
- Doling Family Center lobby, 310 E. Talmage St.
- Mediacom Ice Park upper and lower lobbies, 635 E. Trafficway
Cooling centers are open to the public and meant to provide relief for those who otherwise do not have access to an air-conditioned environment. Other public services affected by the high heat include:
- The Park Board has extended hours at Meador and Westport pools. Complete information: http://bit.ly/NM9IT4
- City Utilities is offering free bus rides to accommodate those who may need transportation around Springfield to the centers located along city bus routes.
- With water supply levels at 74 percent, City Utilities is asking customers to conserve water usage. Complete information: http://bit.ly/OWlbtU
- Springfield Animal Control continues to suspend the trapping of animals.
