Ten Missourians have died due to the recent heat wave. The Department of Health and Senior Services reports that more than 1,300 Missourians have been treated for heat-related illnesses. Most of the deaths have been reported in St. Louis and St. Louis County. A total of 12 Missourians have died of heat-related illnesses, but two of those deaths recorded in Kansas City occurred in July and are not considered part of the count for the August heat wave.
Health Department spokesman, Brian Quinn, says that by far the majority of the people who have died have been elderly. Quinn says the department urges the elderly to seek air conditioning in shopping malls or stores or the cooling centers established in the state. The department also is asking for Missourians to check on elderly relatives and neighbors to make sure they are not getting too hot and are drinking plenty of liquids.
