Heatwave: 10-15% rise in ER visits in large cities

The exceptional heat wave in Europe,

with temperatures well above average, is also starting to affect

Italian emergency rooms, with a 10-15% rise in visits in big

cities, health officials said Friday.

"We can estimate a 10-15% increase in emergency department

visits in large cities," says Alessandro Riccardi, president of

the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (Simeu).

He also clarified that, for now, "the increase in visits remains

limited and there is no cause for alarm."

These visits primarily concern elderly people, but also people

with mental health conditions.

He warned that the shortage of medical and nursing staff in

emergency rooms is also impacting.

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