Two people died in the cold in Baltimore last week, and with another blast of frigid air and snow in the forecast, the city's health department has declared an "extended" Code Blue advisory, expanding homeless services from Thursday through Monday.
The man and woman who died were not identified. The man, between 45 and 64 years old, died on Feb. 2; the woman, older than 65, died on Feb. 6, the health department said. Cardiovascular disease and hypothermia were factors in both deaths, according to the medical examiner.
Six people have died in the cold in Baltimore this winter, the health department said. The death of a man older than 65 was reported this week in Charles County, bringing the total number of cold-weather fatalities to 19 across the state, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said.
The Code Blue alert adds hours and beds at local homeless shelters, among other services aimed at keeping vulnerable populations from freezing during extreme drops in temperatures.
"Our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but with six hypothermia-related deaths this season, it is vitally important to remember that cold can kill," Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said. "All Baltimoreans need to look out for friends and family members and ensure they have warm shelter. Remember that carbon monoxide is a silent killer – do not use unapproved sources of heating."
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