The UK Health Security Agency has warned that ‘significant impacts are likely’
(Image: Getty Images/Alishia Abodunde)
An amber heat health alert has been issued for Essex, with temperatures expected to reach up to 33C this week. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an upgraded health alert for the south east of England.
Initially a yellow alert, it has been upgraded to amber. From Wednesday (July 29) until Thursday (July 30), Essex residents have been warned of extreme temperatures.
This will begin at around 9am on July 29, ending 24 hours later. Essex isn’t the only area impacted – surrounding areas such as Cambridgeshire and Norfolk also have a heat health alert in place.
The UKHSA says that there may be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people as a result. There could also be a greater risk to the lives of vulnerable people, and an increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.
They add that ‘significant impacts are likely’ across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups.
The Met Office is predicting temperatures of around 33C with very high humidity at 86%. UV is also expected to be high with people urged to seek shade, cover up and wear sun screen.