Cold Health Alert extended for North East with increased deaths expected
A new updated Cold Health Alert has been issued for the North East with a rise in deaths expected.
The updated Amber Warning was issued yesterday (January 6) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now been extended to run until January 11 after previously being set to expire on January 9.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “Forecast weather is expected to have significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
“We may also see impacts on younger age groups.
“There will be challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people.”
The forecast weather is also likely to exacerbate the current strain on health services.
The spokesperson added: “There is likely to be an increase in demand for health services, with staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays.
“Temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics may drop below the levels recommended for assessing health risks.
“Other sectors such as transport and energy are likely to start to observe impacts.”
The current Cold Health Alert for the North East runs from 10am on January 6 until midday on January 11.