Tyne & Wear Cold Health Alert upgraded to significant impacts including rise in deaths
A Cold Health Alert issued for Tyne and Wear has been upgraded to an amber warning, meaning the wintry weather is now forecast to cause a significant impact across health and social care services, including the risk of a rise in deaths.
Yesterday the UK Health and Security Agency issued a yellow alert, but today (November 18) have announced an upgrade to amber, the second highest level on the four grade system.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “There is a risk of a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, but we may also see impacts on younger age groups.
“There is likely to be an increased demand for health services which may be compromised by staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays.
“There will be challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people.
“Temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics may drop below the levels recommended for assessing health risks.
“Other sectors such as transport and energy may also start to suffer impacts.”
The Met Office has also issued a snow and ice weather warning for Sunderland, Newcastle and South Shields. The warning has now been extended from midnight on Wednesday to 11.59pm on Thursday.