As a prolonged heat wave continues across the country, over 200 people sought emergency care for heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion, on the previous day.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 202 heat illness patients visited more than 500 emergency rooms nationwide on that day, with three fatalities reported.
Since the heat illness monitoring system was activated on May 15, a total of 3,089 cases have been recorded, with 26 deaths.
While daily cases were below 50 until mid-July, they have surged into the triple digits this month. On August 3, there were 208 cases, followed by 211 on August 4, and 223 on August 5. Although the number dropped slightly to 194 on August 6, it increased again the following day.
On the previous day, the highest number of heat illness cases was reported in Gyeonggi Province with 68 patients, while Seoul recorded 35 cases.
This summer, 76.8% of the cumulative heat illness patients are male, with 35.1% being seniors aged 65 and older.
In terms of timing, 12.8% of cases occurred between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., while 9.9% occurred between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., 9.8% between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and 9.2% between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Most incidents took place outdoors, with 25.1% occurring at outdoor workplaces, 12.8% on the roadside, and 11.9% in fields, totaling 74.9% of cases occurring outside.
Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration has forecasted that daytime temperatures in most regions will remain between 31°C and 35°C until mid-August, which is higher than the average for this time of year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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