COVID-19 and heat waves: New challenges for healthcare systems.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Bose-O'Reilly, Stephan; Daanen, Hein; Deering, Katharina; Gerrett, Nicola; Huynen, Maud Maria Theresia Elisabeth; Lee, Jason; Karrasch, Stefan; Matthies-Wiesler, Franziska; Mertes, Hanna; Schoierer, Julia; Shumake-Guillemot, Joy; van den Hazel, Peter; Frank van Loenhout, Joris Adriaan; Nowak, Dennis
- Source
- Environmental Research. Jul2021, Vol. 198, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
- Subject
- *COVID-19
*MEDICAL personnel
*HEAT waves (Meteorology)
*HEALTH facilities
*SARS-CoV-2
*PERSONAL protective equipment
- Language
- ISSN
- 0013-9351
Heat waves and Covid-19 overlap, as this pandemic continues into summer 2021. Using a narrative review, we identified overlapping risk groups and propose coping strategies. The high-risk groups for heat-related health problems as well as for high-risk COVID-19 groups overlap considerably (elderly with pre-existing health conditions). Health care facilities will again be challenged by Covid-19 during heat waves. Health care personnel are also at risk of developing heat related health problems during hot periods due to the use of personal protective equipment to shield themselves from SARS-CoV-2 and must therefore be protected from excessive heat periods. Some existing recommendations for heat health protection contradict recommendations for COVID-19 protection. This paper provides a preliminary overview of possible strategies and interventions to tackle these ambiguities. The existing recommendations for protection against heat-related illnesses need revisions to determine whether they include essential aspects of infection control and occupational safety and how they may be supplemented. • Hot days and heat waves due to climate change are on the rise. • SARS-CoV-2 AND heat stress cause illnesses and fatalities. • Vulnerable groups are old and chronically ill people. • Recommendations to protect them against heat AND SARS-CoV-2 need to be adapted. • Adjusted heat health action plans need to be monitored and evaluated for effectiveness and lessons learnt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]