72 More Heat Illness Patients Added in a Day... Gyeongnam Overtakes Seoul Amid 'Extreme Heatwave'

As record-breaking heatwaves continue, centered around the Yeongnam region, the number of heat-related illness patients in the Gyeongnam region has surpassed that of Seoul.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on August 1, a total of 72 people visited emergency rooms at around 500 hospitals nationwide yesterday (the 31st).

Fortunately, no additional deaths were reported.

This brings the cumulative number of patients tracked by the emergency room heat-related illness surveillance system from May 15 to the previous day to 1,781, including 13 deaths.

As of July 30, the number of patients in Seoul was slightly higher, but within a single day, the numbers reversed with Gyeongnam recording 161 patients (3 deaths) and Seoul recording 158 patients (2 deaths).

Considering that Gyeongnam's population as of June this year (3,195,351) is about one-third of Seoul's (9,289,813), it shows that heat-related illness damage has been particularly concentrated in Gyeongnam.

Record-breaking heatwaves continue in various parts of the Gyeongnam region, with temperatures in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, soaring to 41.6°C (107°F), breaking its record for the highest temperature since observations began once again.

Including patients in Gyeongsangbuk-do (182 patients), the total number of patients in the Gyeongsang provinces stands at 343.

As of the previous day, the number of patients by city and province was highest in Gyeonggi-do (372), followed by Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jeonnam-Gwangju (163), Gyeongnam, and Seoul.

So far, 77.7% of all patients have been men, and 31.9% are aged 65 or older.

By type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for the largest proportion at 61.0%, followed by heatstroke at 16.5%, heat cramps at 12.1%, and heat syncope at 9.2%.

According to the KDCA's heat-related illness risk forecasting information, the risk level for patient occurrences will remain at the highest tier, Level 4, until the 4th of this month.

Level 4 signifies a level where heat-related illnesses occur in most areas and significant damage is expected.

To avoid heat-related illnesses, people should first stay cool by taking frequent showers and wearing loose, light-colored clothing.

It is also helpful to block the sun using a parasol or a hat.

In addition, it is recommended to drink water regularly and frequently even without feeling thirsty, while avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can induce dehydration and disrupt sound sleep.

If a patient occurs, they should be immediately moved to a cool place to lower their body temperature.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.