Two more heat-related deaths were reported in Maryland this week, bringing the state total to 10, up from a total of six reported last year, officials said.
One victim was a Baltimore City senior who died this week, and a Prince George's county senior who died in June, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Both victims had serious underlying health conditions and were found inside their residences without air conditioning and with room temperatures above 90 degrees, department officials said. However, they warn that anyone can suffer from heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
Nine of the 10 people who died heat-related deaths had underlying risks that increase their susceptibility for heat-related illnesses, officials said.
The state agency is also reporting a higher number of emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses and dehydration that coincide with temperatures rising into the triple digits this week. On Tuesday, 59 visits were reported, 80 on Wednesday and 71 on Thursday. On July 1, in the previous week, when temperatures did not rise into the triple digits, hospitals reported only 30 emergency room visits related to heat and dehydration.