The Carlos III Health Institute, dependent on the Ministry of Health, estimates that there are 360 deaths attributable to the high temperatures recorded in the first six days of the heat wave that affects Spain and that correspond to the period from 10 July, beginning of the wave, to Friday 15.
According to the statistics of the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) of the Carlos III Health Institute, “observed and estimated” deaths due to causes attributable to excess temperature peaked on July 15, with 123 deaths, while on July 14, which is considered the height of the wave, the figure was 93.
Since the 10th, the trend has been upward, with 15 deaths estimated on that day and practically double (28) on the next.
On days 12 and 13 the estimated deaths due to excess heat have continued to grow. In fact, on Tuesday the 12th the statistics identified 41 deaths for this reason and another 60 on Wednesday the 13th.
The objective of the MoMo statistics is “to identify the deviations of observed daily mortality with respect to that expected, according to the historical series of mortality”, and allows “indirectly estimating” the impact of any event of importance in public health, explains on your website.
The most extreme temperatures that are being recorded in many parts of the country since Sunday began to subside on Friday, although five autonomous communities -Aragón, Cantabria, Extremadura, Navarra and La Rioja- are on red alert, and another seven on orange notice by extreme temperatures.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with the predictions of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), maintains the heat wave alert during this weekend.
This Saturday the extreme risk warning will be activated in areas of Zaragoza, Cantabria, Badajoz, Navarra and La Rioja. Orange level warnings due to high temperatures will continue to predominate in the peninsular territory. The Aemet foresees that on Sunday there will be no red warning zones, but the heat wave will continue to affect almost the entire peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
Civil Protection recommends limiting exposure to the sun and avoiding prolonged physical activity in the middle of the day, drinking plenty of water or liquids and eating light and regular meals, as well as wearing light-colored clothing and protecting your head.
Health maintains the National Plan for Preventive Actions due to High Temperatures activated to reduce its associated effects, coordinate the institutions of the State Administration and propose actions that can be carried out by the autonomous communities and the local administration.
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