Nine people confirmed dead in Pierce County from record heat wave. Toll could rise
Story has been updated.
The death toll from the weekend’s unprecedented heat wave is starting to come into focus, as Pierce County announced the first deaths officially tied to the heat.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday confirmed nine heat-related deaths tied to the unprecedented heat wave in the region.
“A small number of deaths are still under investigation, and this number may change,” the county said in an update issued Thursday.
The state Department of Health said since June 25, there have been 1,792 emergency department visits reported by hospitals for suspected heat-related illness in the state, with 382 of those leading to inpatient admission.
According to DOH in a statement: “The highest volume of emergency department visits for suspected heat-related illness occurred June 28 (Monday) with 702 ED visits.”
The department noted that “73% of ED visits for suspected heat-related illness occurred between 2 p.m. and midnight.”
By age, “93% of patients seen for suspected heat-related illness were 18 years of age and older,” it noted, and that “39% of patients seen for suspected heat-related illness were 65 years and older.”
Top diagnoses include heat exhaustion, dehydration, effect of heat and light, dizziness/giddiness and syncope and collapse, according to the department.
The state also recorded 42 drowning/submersion events since June 25, along with another potential one still under investigation.
Pierce County on Wednesday said the medical examiner was investigating a “small number” of deaths that may be heat related.
King County has reported at least 13 dead from the heat wave so far. Authorities fear the death toll for the Northwest could climb into the hundreds.
This story was originally published July 1, 2021 at 2:33 PM.
