Hospital capacity, indoor temperatures under scrutiny in latest B.C. heat wave
The Lower Mainland’s third heat warning of the summer is concerning health officials and meteorologists, who warn that those British Columbians most at risk of heat-related-illness have been facing elevated temperatures for weeks.
While being in warm temperatures and gradually acclimatizing to heat is generally a good thing, weeks of above-average temperatures have resulted in built-up heat in many homes, which has not dissipated to give people relief.
“Cumulative heat exposure over the course of days can be especially impactful for health, (such as) in a situation where we're having warm temperatures on top of already relatively warm temperatures,” explained Dr. Michael Schwandt, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health.
Those most at risk include seniors, people with mobility issues and disabilities, people with certain heart and lung conditions, those who have asthma, and those taking certain medications.
The BC Coroners Service says 16 people have already died from extreme heat this summer, but Schwandt points out many people suffering or struggling are not in those numbers.
“There's also a burden of illness we're seeing in the emergency rooms, hospitalizations, and that's affecting our health system in a broader way, too,” he added.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING
A heat wave in June was the first test of B.C.’s revamped emergency heat response system, which was overhauled after 619 people died in last year’s heat dome tragedy.
The HEAT committee meets daily during heat warnings, and those involved say the process of determining when and how to respond to each heat event is getting better.
“It’s really good, we’re collaborating with partners and the message is getting out there,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lunquist. “We’re still ironing out bugs, of course, because it’s a criteria-based thing. If this one area triggers, maybe the other shouldn’t, and that sort of thing.”
He expects temperatures to drop over Friday and Saturday, before ramping up again with “no end in sight.” The committee is already looking at the trends 10 days out, he said.
“We’re talking to emergency managers ahead of time in the background, even before the public hears about it. We’re like ‘OK, this could happen, we need to be prepared for it,’” he said.
INDOOR HEAT A MAJOR FOCUS
The coroner’s inquest into the heat dome tragedy found that nearly all the victims died indoors. The overnight temperatures during that deadly week at the end of June 2021 stayed high, keeping many people’s internal body temperatures dangerously high without relief.
Despite that, there were no overnight cooling centres or options for those sweltering with nowhere to go. There still aren’t, but the temperatures aren’t forecasted to be that high this time around, and a Level 2 heat alert is not in place.
CTV News asked whether overnight temperatures, in particular, would prompt overnight cooling centres or some sort of alternative accommodations, particularly for those at highest risk.
“A lot of partners – including Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing, the City of Vancouver – have a lot of work going on to monitor indoor temperatures and overnight (temperatures) to understand what's happening,” replied Schwandt, saying they’re looking at options depending on the conditions.
“Because it's indoor temperatures that end up being the greatest risk for many people.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.