Portland metro records at least 4 suspected heat-related deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County is investigating three possible heat-related deaths as the area continues to endure a heat wave with triple-digit temperatures.
According to the county medical examiner, 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.
Vehicle shot following NE Portland street takeover
A fourth man – not a Multnomah County resident – was “transported from outside Multnomah County, where he died from suspected heat-related illness at a Portland hospital.”
The identity of all victims have yet to be released. The county said that it will provide more information as it becomes available.
“Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks to months,” officials said. “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.”
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.
Triple-digit temps expected once again in Portland
Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno said the health department’s next steps are to avoid future cases in Multnomah County.
“We really want to encourage people to check in on your neighbors and your friends and family members — people who may be at risk of heat-related illness,” Bruno said. “Check in on them. Make sure they have a heat plan.”
Bruno said the deaths currently under investigation — if heat-related — were likely preventable deaths.
“We assumed that they probably would not have expired if they had had better cooling options,” he said. “So we’re trying to ramp up and make sure that people have those options right now.”
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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