Since Sunday, 61 people have died from the debilitating heatwave that has swept through Egypt.
The Health Ministry announced in a statement Tuesday that 581 people suffering from heat-related issues had been admitted to hospitals nationwide on that day alone.
Out of the 581 people admitted to hospitals Tuesday, 21 elderly people died, while 377 were released from the hospital after treatment.
Two hundred and thirty three Cairenes were taken to hospitals. Of that number, 10 people died, 142 were treated and released and the remaining people are still under observation.
In Qena, 27 people were admitted to hospitals, 17 of whom were later released. Sohag recorded 118 cases related to the heatwave, with four deaths and 63 cleared to leave the hospitals. In Giza, 178 cases were reported, two people died and 153 were later released from the hospitals.
Eight cases were reported in Luxor, two of those people died and one was later released. Of the three cases that were recorded in Assiut, one person died. In Damietta, four people were hospitalized and two people died.
Two cases were recorded in New Valley and one in the Red Sea, but no deaths were reported. Additionally, one case was reported in Minya and eight in Aswan.
Citizens, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, should take the necessary preventative measures and keep out of the sun, especially around noon.
Since the height of the heatwave, 21 people died on Sunday, 19 people died on Monday and 21 more people perished on Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 61.
Meteorologists are predicting that the heatwave will continue until mid August.
Conflicting temperatures cited by Egypt’s Meteorological Authority and media outlets have evoked calls for the real temperatures to be announced in order for citizens to take the proper health precautions.
One World Foundation has also requested the Meteorology Authority give out accurate temperature readings.
"We usually expect an additional 5 to 10 degrees Celsius of the forecasted temperatures in the sunlight," Wahid Saudi, spokesperson for the Egyptian Meteorological Authority told Ahram Online.
General Manager Maged Sorour said the international principles of freedom of information stipulate full disclosure by public institutions in accordance with United Nations regulations.
He called on the Meteorology Authority to raise awareness on how to deal with weather extremes, particularly for children and the elderly, and on the Agriculture Ministry to raise awareness on how to protect food and animals.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
