Heatwave Causes Sixfold Surge in Heat-Related Patients in Gyeonggi Province: 438 Cases in July

The number of heat-related patients in Gyeonggi Province has surged sixfold compared to last year due to the extreme heatwave.

According to Gyeonggi Province on July 28, as of July 26, the cumulative number of heat-related illness cases in the province reached 505, with 438 of those cases occurring in July alone (July 1-26). This represents a sixfold increase compared to the total number of cases in July last year, which was 78.

Regarding the location of incidents, 79.8% of cases occurred outdoors, accounting for the vast majority. In particular, workplaces (37.8%), roadsides (11.9%), and fields (9.1%) were frequently reported locations. For indoor cases, most occurred in workplaces (8.5%) and at home (5.3%).

By age group, those aged 65 and older accounted for 25.1% of cases. By gender, men made up 81.2% of all cases, indicating that elderly individuals and men exposed to outdoor work are particularly high-risk groups. By type of illness, heat exhaustion was the most common, accounting for 63.6% of cases. Cases of heat stroke and heat cramps were also reported.

Gyeonggi-do Heatwave Preparedness Health Guidelines Leaflet

This year, there have been three reported deaths from heat-related illnesses in the province.

In response, Gyeonggi Province is actively promoting heatwave safety guidelines to minimize health damage among residents. These include: drinking water frequently and hydrating before feeling thirsty; avoiding outdoor activities and taking breaks during the hottest hours (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.); and wearing clothing, hats, or using umbrellas to block sunlight when going outside.

Min Youngki, head of the Gyeonggi Province Emergency Medical Support Group and director of the Ajou University Hospital Regional Emergency Medical Center, stated, "Recently, the number of patients visiting emergency rooms due to heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses has increased significantly." He emphasized, "It is important to prevent these illnesses through regular hydration, and if symptoms are severe, it is necessary to visit a nearby hospital for treatment to restore the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance."