6 deaths in Oregon now possibly connected to extreme heat wave

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon has recorded at least six possible heat-related deaths during the latest wave of extreme temperatures, officials say.

At least five deaths have been reported in Multnomah County since Friday, July 5, and the State Medical Examiner also confirmed a death has taken place in Coos County.

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However, the exact time and location of the death in Coos County is unclear.

In Multnomah County, the first death took place on Friday, July 5 when an 84-year-old man was found in the 97230 ZIP code. Two days later, another two men — 64 and 75 years old — were discovered in the 97206 and 97216 ZIP codes, respectively.

On July 8, a 67-year-old woman from Multnomah County was also listed as a possible heat-related death in the 97212 ZIP code.

Another man, a 33-year-old Clackamas County resident, was “transported from outside Multnomah County where he died from suspected heat-related illness at a Portland hospital,” according to Multnomah County.

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The identities of all victims have yet to be released. The county said it will provide more information as it becomes available – likely in several weeks or months.

“Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially hot-weather-related. In some cases, the deaths may be found to have had other causes,” officials said.

The county has not yet revealed whether there were any commonalities between these deaths, meaning it is unclear if they were unhoused or living alone without air conditioning.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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